Public Resources Code section 4439
(a)
Flammable forest product waste material may be disposed of by means of fire in an area which is cleared of grass, grain, brush, slash, litter, snags and forest cover for a distance of 121.9 meters (400 feet) from the periphery of the fire and for any greater distance necessary to provide 30.5 meters (100 feet) of cleared area around any lumber pile or structure which may be situated within 121.9 meters (400 feet) of the fire.(b)
Sound and living trees beyond 30.5 meters (100 feet) from the periphery of the fire may be left standing within the area required to be cleared, provided the following requirements are met:(1)
Wildfire cannot travel into the canopy of any tree left standing.(2)
Any tree left standing does not pose a fire safety threat or prevent fire equipment access to and near the flammable forest waste material.(3)
All dead limbs, and all limbs within 3 meters (10 feet) of the ground are removed from any tree left standing.(c)
The disposal by fire in the cleared area is the responsibility of the operator or landowner, or of the operator and landowner, jointly, and shall be in conformance with Section 4423 and all other provisions of law.
Source:
Section 4439, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PRC§ionNum=4439. (updated Jan. 1, 1982; accessed Jun. 18, 2026).
