Burn Permits

Updated Burn Requirements for 2025/2026

Starting December 1, 2025, CAL FIRE will be issuing permits to certain Central FD residents to help standardize burn regulations county-wide. Specifically, those in the State Response Area (SRA) for Cal Fire. If you are not sure if your property is part of the SRA, you can look it up by address at Cal Fire's Burn Permit Responsibility Area Viewer. For further information on how to apply for a Residential Burn Permit through CAL FIRE, please review their press release or visit their website.

Apply for a Burn Permit through Cal Fire

Central Fire District still requires all individuals planning to burn within our District boundaries to obtain a burn permit through our District and notify us of their intent to burn through the established Burn Notification Line (as listed on the permit) before proceeding. The phone line opens at 3:00 PM the prior day and closes at 8:00 AM, allowing us to issue a single daily notification email to the crews. 

Apply for a Burn Permit through Central FD

On Which Days Will Burning be Allowed?

Burning will be allowed on permissive "burn days" or "marginal burn days" only, as reported by the Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD).

To check the burn status for the day, call the MBARD hotline at 1-800-CAL-BURN (225-2876). The burn status hotline will list separate zones for burn days – all permits issued for the Central Fire District are listed in the “COASTAL” burn zone. 

Backyard burning that is done without permits or on no-burn days will be subject to fines, where applicable.

Check Burn Day Status