LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Air Quality Management District reported that it has completed the process to approve minor changes to the burn program. 

Starting with the 2025-26 burn season, the annual Lake County Burn Ban will be lifted on Nov. 1 of each year.

Additional changes to the burn program include specific holidays to be designated as no burn days in Lake County thus ensuring the community is able to enjoy clean air during the holidays. 

Burn permits will be available on Nov. 1 by going to www.lcaqmd.net and following the link to the online burn permits. 

Residential and agricultural burn permits are available online from any device that has internet access. This includes libraries with public computer access. Feel free to call the air quality office if assistance is needed. 

Burn permits are required for all outdoor burning in the Lake County Air Basin.

A smoke management plan burn permit is required for any of the following: multi-day or overnight burning, smoke impact potential, tule burning, piles > 10 feet diameter, more than 1 acre of standing vegetation, whole vines, or whole trees, and burning more than 20 acres in one day. 

A smoke management plan can be obtained at the Lake County Air Quality Management District office by appointment. Call 707-263-7000 to schedule an appointment and be sure to bring a map showing the burn location (https://gispublic.co.lake.ca.us/portal/home/), burn site coordinates (GPS locations), parcel number or address, acres to be burned, and details of vegetation to be burned. 

A fee is required for all burn permits, payable at the time the permit is issued. Burn permit fees have increased this year. The fee for a residential burn permit is $63 and the fee for an agricultural burn permit is $94.

The fee for a smoke management plan burn permit varies by size, type and amount of parcels, and range from $125 for pile burning; $188 for standing brush; and $625 for complex burns such as levees, dams, right of ways and reservoir burns. Other fees are posted on the district website for special permits, exemptions, lot clearing and tule burns.

Residential and agricultural burn permits issued online are paid by credit card at time of issuance. If an alternative payment method is needed please call the district office to make arrangements. Credit card payment is not available for smoke management plans at this time, payment must be made at the time of issuance by cash, check or money order to the district. 

Only clean dry vegetation that was grown on the property may be burned. Residential burn permits require a one acre or larger parcel, a burn location that is at least 100 feet from all neighbors, and at least 30 feet from any structure in order to qualify. 

Read your burn permit carefully and follow all the conditions. Please be considerate of your neighbors. A permit does not allow you to create health problems for others. You can be liable for health care costs, fines, and other costs resulting from your burning. 

Consider composting or using the vegetative waste pickup provided with your waste collection service as an alternative to burning leaves. Greenwaste bins and dumpsters are available through your local waste collection provider.