Recreational fires up to 2 feet in diameter are allowed without a burning permit. However, there are a few rules to follow to insure your fire doesn’t become an emergency.
RECREATIONAL FIRE: (often called a campfire) is 2 foot or less on bare soil, gravel, below tide line on the beach or in an approved fire pit. Do not burn garbage such as can, paper plates or plastic wrappers.
FIRE SIZE: 2 foot or less
FLAMES: 2 foot or less
AROUND PIT: 2 feet min. of safe space
Unless there is a county-wide BURNING BAN, the Fire Marshal allows recreational fires of 2 feet in diameter at any time of the year.
RECREATIONAL FIRE REGULATIONS: All Recreational Burning must be in open area, on beaches, or in concrete or metal fire pits. Even in approved fire pits, a safety perimeter outside the edge of the fire to bare soil 2 feet in all directions must be cleared. Flame lengths must be less than 2 feet high and the fire must be constantly attended until out and cold to the touch. A shovel, charged water hose or a full 5 gallon bucket of water should be provided at the fire site while burning in case of hot embers or burns.
STATE PARKS: No permit is required for recreational burning in approved fire pits in state or county parks.
A BURN BAN may be issued and restrict all burning including Recreational Burning, even in approved Fire Pits. Check with the Park Ranger.
When these rules are followed, no written permit and no fee is required. The Recreational Burning rules are not intended for Residential cleanup of yard debris. Recreational fires that do not meet these restrictions require a permit.
Smokey Bear’s Rules