Burn Permit Requirements Differ in Counties
November 26, 2025 – Mariposa, CA – The California Department of Forestry and Fire 
Protection (CAL FIRE) will go to open burning effective November 28, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. Recent rainfall and cooler weather conditions have reduced the threat of wildfire within the State Responsibility Areas (SRA) of the Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU). Residents and landowners must verify that it is a permissible burn day prior to burning by contacting their local Air Quality Management District:
Burn permit information in Mariposa County:
CAL FIRE burn permits are not required in Mariposa County until May 1.
Residents must contact the Mariposa County burn day information line and Mariposa County Air Pollution Control District for county permit requirements prior to burning.
Mariposa County burn day information line: 1-209-966-1200
Mariposa County Air Pollution Control District: 1-209-966-2220
Burn permit information in Eastern Madera County and Merced County:
CAL FIRE burn permits are required in Eastern Madera County and the State Responsibility Area (SRA) of Merced County. Permits can be obtained online only by visiting burnpermit.fire.ca.gov.
Burn day information line: 1-877-429-2876
MMU would like to remind residents that creating and maintaining 100 feet of defensible space is essential for increasing your home's chance of surviving wildfire. Fall and winter are perfect times to create vertical and horizontal spacing between grass, shrubs, and trees. Please trim trees to keep branches a minimum of 10 feet from other trees.
Safety Tips:
- Remain in attendance of your fire.
- Make sure there is a water source nearby.
- DO NOT burn on days forecasted to have high or gusty winds.
As always, before you burn, ensure it is a permissive burn day by contacting the burn day information line and be responsible when burning.
For more information, please visit: www.fire.ca.gov or www.readyforwildfire.org.
Source: CA Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit
