Types of Burning Activities

Types of Burning Activities & Restrictions on Them


A partial list of the kinds of burning activities, whether they require permits, and the restriction on them is provided on this page. Some restrictions apply throughout Maricopa County, and some apply only in Area A. For an interactive map of Area A, see Planning Area Maps. For more complete information, consult Rule 314 (PDF), or call the Air Quality Department at 602-506-6010.

How to Find Out if There Are Burn Restrictions in Effect Today


You can sign up for email or text alerts; download the Clean Air Make More app for mobile devices; check the Air Quality home page or Clean Air Make More; or call the Burn Restrictions Updates line at 602-506-6400 to find out if burn restrictions are in place.

Household Waste & Yard Waste


Burning household waste creates dangerous air pollution and is strictly prohibited. Burning yard waste (such as tree trimmings) is also prohibited. Contact your local waste disposal service to find out how to dispose of yard waste in your area, or create a compost pile for your yard waste.

Indoor Fireplaces in Commercial or Institutional Establishments


Burning in indoor fireplaces that use anything other than gaseous fuels (including gas logs) is prohibited during restricted-burn periods.

Open Outdoor Fires that Require a Burn Permit


No types of fires listed in this section are allowed during burn-restriction periods.



Fires for the following purposes are not allowed from May 1 through September 30 in Area A:

  • Destruction of tumbleweeds
  • Clearing scrub vegetation
Fires for the following purposes are allowed from May 1 through September 30 in Area A:

  • Agricultural disease or pest prevention
  • Weed control for prevention of fire hazards
  • Fire fighting training
  • Clearing agricultural ditch banks or fence rows
  • Watershed rehabilitation

Open Outdoor Fires that Do Not Require a Burn Permit


Note that, although the types of fires do not require a burn permit, they do require notification to the Air Quality Department and may require notification to your local fire department.

No types of fires listed in this section are allowed during burn-restriction periods.



Allowed all year in all areas:
  • Cooking for immediate human consumption
  • Orchard heaters for frost protection in farming or nursery operations
  • Proper disposal of flags under 4 U.S.C. § 8
  • Display of fireworks for recreational purposes or pyrotechnics for musical, cinematic or theatrical functions (but check with your local fire department to determine if there are local restrictions)
Allowed all year in all areas (restrictions apply—see Rule 314 or call 602-506-6010 for more details):
  • Fire extinguisher training
  • Fire fighting training (if the sole source of flame is liquefied natural gas (LNG) or natural gas, and the input rating per hour is less than 2,000,000 BTU)
  • Disposal of dangerous material (must comply with ADEQ regulations)
Fires for the following purposes are not allowed from May 1 - September 30 in Area A:
  • Warmth for human beings
  • Recreational purposes
  • Wood-burning chimineas and outdoor pits
  • Branding of animals

Fires for Testing Potentially Explosive-Containing Products


Special restrictions and record-keeping requirements apply. See Rule 314 § 303.4, or call 602-506-6010 for more details.

Air Curtain Destructor


Open outdoor fires in an air curtain destructor require a Title V permit from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and a burn plan approved by Maricopa County Air Quality. Call 602-506-6010 for more details.


Page reviewed 29 March 2019