Cal Fire San Diego announced yesterday that it will suspend burn permits by proclamation starting next Friday, May 1. The move will change which outdoor burns are allowed across San Diego County as state and federal agencies shift into their usual seasonal fire restrictions.
Where the announcement came from
According to CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire, burn permits will be suspended by proclamation on Friday. County officials urged anyone holding a permit to double-check whether scheduled burn days are still permissive and to call their issuing fire agency before lighting any piles.
BURN PERMITS TO BE SUSPENDED MAY 1st@CALFIRESANDIEGO will suspend burn permits by proclamation on Friday, May 1st, 2025 at 8 am. Please continue to follow the rules and regulations and visit https://t.co/YD7oLefGki for further information. pic.twitter.com/V5gNnZB6vd
— CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire (@CALFIRESANDIEGO) April 23, 2026
How permits and burn days will change
Per CAL FIRE, burn status updates are posted by county, and permit-holders must still confirm that any planned burn falls on a permissive burn day. Agricultural burns often require a pre-inspection, and some residential burns may also be inspected before ignition.
Why officials are moving now
The shift comes as multiple agencies roll out seasonal fire restrictions across southern California, including new limits on public-land fires announced this month by the Bureau of Land Management. Local operations, such as a planned controlled burn near Middle Peak, which is expected to produce visible smoke across the region, are part of that push, according to Hoodline.
What residents should do
Residents with a valid permit are being told to call their issuing fire agency before any burn and to follow guidance from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District on permissive burn days and allowable types of fire. The district notes that recreational campfires and grills are generally exempt, although excessive smoke or nuisance complaints can still trigger enforcement.
Penalties and enforcement
According to the San Diego County Consolidated Fire Code, failing to comply with fire-code orders can be prosecuted as an infraction or a misdemeanor, with fines of up to $1,000 and possible jail time. The county may also seek reimbursement for emergency response or enforcement costs. Officials say the suspension will be enforced by proclamation, and inspectors may still sign off on essential agricultural burns on a case-by-case basis.
For the latest status and to see whether your area is under suspension or "permit required" status, check CAL FIRE and the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District's burn page. Permit-holders with questions are advised to contact their issuing fire agency or the County Fire Authority at the San Diego County Operations Center.
