Burn season is now open in Redding, CA.

Burn season is now open in the City of Redding, giving residents and businesses an opportunity to clear dry vegetation from their properties. Before lighting a pile, however, property owners need an open burning permit and must check whether burning is allowed that day.

The Redding Fire Department confirmed the season opened at 8 a.m. Sunday, November 1st, 2026. The seasonal opening does not mean burning is permitted every day or at any hour.

Permits available at no cost

The city offers open burning permits at no cost for both residential and commercial use. Applications can be completed online at cityofredding.gov/burnpermit.

Anyone burning must keep a printed copy of the permit available or have the permit email accessible on their phone while the fire is burning.

Redding's usual burn season runs from November 1st through April 30th, subject to fire season restrictions. The Fire Marshal can close or extend the season depending on weather conditions.

Call before burning, every time

Before burning each day, call 530-224-8777 after 9:15 a.m. and listen to the updated message confirming whether it is a permissive burn day.

On approved burn days within the City of Redding, fires may be ignited between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. All fires must be completely extinguished by 5 p.m.

A permit alone does not authorize burning on a day when burning is prohibited. Wind and other weather conditions must also be safe before any fire is started.

Pile sizes and required clearance

The city's published rules set a maximum pile diameter of four feet for properties smaller than one acre. Properties larger than one acre may have piles measuring up to 10 feet by 10 feet.

Smaller piles require at least 10 feet of clearance from the pile's outer edge to flammable materials or vegetation. For 10 foot by 10 foot piles, that clearance increases to 25 feet.

All burning must take place at least 50 feet from structures.

The published acreage categories do not specify which limit applies to a property measuring exactly one acre. Owners in that situation should confirm their permit requirements with the Redding Fire Department before burning.

What can be burned, and what must stay out

Open burning is limited to dry vegetation. Burn barrels are prohibited.

The city's regulations also prohibit burning paper, cardboard, garbage, construction materials, animal or human waste, fabric, clothing, plastic, rubber, roofing materials and tar materials. Burning that creates a public nuisance is also prohibited.

An adult, a shovel and water are required

An adult must remain at the burn site with a shovel until the fire is completely extinguished. A water supply must also be available at the site.

Mechanically created piles must be inspected by both the Shasta County Air Quality Management District and the Redding Fire Department before burning.

These requirements apply within the City of Redding. Property owners elsewhere in Shasta County should check with the agency responsible for their address rather than assuming Redding's opening applies to them.

For permit questions or clarification about the city's requirements, call the Redding Fire Department at 530-225-4141. Permit applications and additional information are available through the city's burn permit page.