Recent county fire code changes now allow small, recreational fires, such as campfires, at private residences throughout the Morongo Basin without a burn permit. Many short-term rental homes commonly have gas-fed or small fire pits at their homes for their guests, and concerned neighbors have been calling the fire department to report the burns. Many of these fire fall within the parameters of a recreational fire and are legal. Managing editor Tami Roleff highlights the basics of permitted recreational fires…
San Bernardino County Fire crews have been actively educating home owners and short-term rental tenants on the new rules of outside fires. Some fire stations have been getting five to 10 calls a day about legal outdoor fires. Firefighters have the ability to stop a fire due to hazardous conditions or if it causes offensive smoke conditions.
Permitted fires can not be larger than two by three feet in diameter and must be at least 25 feet from a structure; outdoor fireplaces much be at least 15 feet. A water source, fire extinguisher, or shovel must be close, and there must be an adult near by. Sustained winds must be less than 10 miles per hour, and fires may not be burned during a Red Flag warning. Residents in State Responsibility Areas, such as Pioneertown, south Joshua Tree, and other unincorporated areas, fall under CalFire regulations.
