Oroville Green Waste Program -  Pacific Oroville Power, Inc. and Norcal Waste Systems of Butte County allows local residents to deliver green waste free-of-charge to the waste Transfer Station. For more information about the green waste program contact Norcal Waste Systems at 533-5868.

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2004 - State Residential Burning Air borne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM). The ATCM limits residential burning to vegetative waste and prohibits the use of burn barrels in most of Butte County. Residential burning may only be conducted on permissive residential burn days.

Two small exemption areas exist in Butte County, and are located primarily in the Lassen National Forest and Plumas National Forest. Clean, dry non-glossy paper may be burned and burn barrels may be used in the exemption areas.

To view the exemption maps, please click on the links below.  Exempt areas are shaded green.  Both maps can be viewed using Acrobat Reader.  Acrobat Reader can be used to zoom in on areas of interest to identify major roadways which may aid in determining whether you live in an exempt area. 

Butte East Map (near Sly Creek Reservoir)

Butte North Map (near Butte Meadows)

Please contact Cha Vang at (530) 891-2882 for further details.

California Air Resources Board (ARB) has the following Residential Burning Website available to the public:  http://www.arb.ca.gov/smp/resburn/resburn.htm.

WHAT ARE RESIDENTIAL BURNING RULES?

Residential/Dooryard burning is the burning of vegetative waste in a 4' x 4' pile.  Residential/Dooryard burning is regulated by the local, State and federal fire protection agencies and the Butte County Air Quality Management District

Residential/Dooryard burning is allowed only on permissive burn days, as determined by the Air Resources Board. Burn day information is available 7 days a week from the Burn Line: (530) 896-2537 or at www.bcaqmd.org after 8:45 a.m. You must confirm the Burn Day status before burning. Burn Day status is updated daily. 

Commercial entities are allowed to use open burning if the burning is performed for the purposes of fire hazard reduction to comply with local fire agency requirements.

WHAT CAN RESIDENTS LEGALLY BURN?

Only vegetative waste, on property on which it is grown, may be burned in accordance with local fire agency requirements.

RULES PROHIBIT THE BURNING OF:

• garbage

• tires

• trash

• construction materials

• plastic

• bedding or furniture

• paint

• rubber

• cotton

• wool

• petroleum products

• other similar smoke or toxic fume producing items, and

• fireworks

As a source of air pollution, smoke can pose a serious threat to the human respiratory systems:

Smoke particles - very small droplets of condensed organic vapors, unburned fuel, soot and ash that escape from fire can cause and aggravate lung disease and cancer. Smoke contains ozone-forming compounds (volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen) and significant amounts of fine particles and other pollutants.

Toxic residue from compounds in smoke can remain in the air for weeks; if inhaled, it can lodge deep in the lungs causing irritation and coughing.

Pollutants from open burning are believed to contribute to less than 7 percent of Butte County's ground-level ozone and less than 9 percent to PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter). The primary source of regional pollution continues to be motor vehicles - 70 percent, in fact. However, as part of the effort to reduce air pollution in the Sacramento Valley Air Basin, open burning is controlled through a process of permits, rules, and regulations.

Penalties for violating California's air pollution regulations can be expensive - as much as $50,000 per day. Keeping open burning operations within the law not only avoids costly penalties, but helps provide a healthier environment for everyone.

HOW IS OPEN BURNING REGULATED FOR RESIDENTIAL/DOORYARD WASTES ?

• Burning is allowed only on permissible burn days.

• Residential Burn Day status is available by calling 896-2537 or at www.bcaqmd.org after 8:45 a.m.

As of January 1, 2004, residential Burn Day determinations for Butte County will be the same as for agricultural open burning. Burn Day status is specified based on elevation of the burn site: above 3,000 feet and below 3,000 feet elevation. The California Air Resources Board makes the Burn Day determination each day, generally by 8:45 a.m.

No burning shall occur when weather conditions cause any smoke from the burn to enter into an adjacent residence where there are persons residing such as to create a smoke nuisance.

Vegetation can only be burned on the property on which it is grown. Transporting vegetation to another location be burned is prohibited.

Burnable materials must be dry, not covered with dirt, and loosely stacked to allow air to circulate freely so that the smoke will be minimized.

The property owner and anyone burning are jointly and severally liable (collectively and individually) for compliance with all burn regulations.

WHAT ARE THE FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS?

Residential/Dooryard burning requirements when burn permits are required:

• A responsible person (adult over age 18) must be in attendance at all times who has read, understands, and is complying with the burn condition requirements.

• All areas within 10 feet of the burn pile must be clear of all flammable material.

• Adequate water supply must be operation at the burn site and capable of controlling and extinguishing the fire as necessary.

• You must follow all applicable fire agency requirements. 

• Persons allowing and/or performing the burning will be held liable for all damages (including cost of fire suppression) if the burn escapes their control.

If you have complaints about the service, policies, or regulations, or, if you have recommendations for improvements we encourage you to contact the District. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you.

A fire department burn permit may be required. For further information about the fire department regulations and burn permits, contact your fire protection agency:

Oroville FD: 2055 Lincoln Blvd., Oroville, 95965, 538-2480