Regulation 5: Open Burning - 2025 Amendment (Conceptual)

Learn about the Air District's development process for amending Regulation 5: Open Burning.

Find out about the status and anticipated timeline of the rule development process. Information on hearings, workshops, and other events is provided below, along with supporting documents and materials.

The Air District will hold two virtual workshops on amendments to woodsmoke rules. A workshop on amendments to Regulation 5: Open Burning will be conducted virtually on June 2, 2025. A workshop on amendments to Regulation 6: Particulate Matter, Rule 3: Woodburning Devices will be conducted virtually on June 3, 2025.


Background

Regulation 5: Open Burning is designed to reduce harmful air pollution from open burning activities, which can release fine particulate matter and toxic air contaminants into the air we breathe. Air District staff consider woodsmoke as an important source to evaluate as it represents over 10 percent of the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions in the region on an annual basis with an even greater impact during the winter. The Air District has also committed to explore woodsmoke mitigation options through concerns identified in Assembly Bill (AB) 617 communities: West Oakland Community Action Plan (WOCAP) Further Study Measure #5 and Richmond-North Richmond-San Pablo Path to Clean Air (PTCA) Public Health Action (H) 2.5.


Upcoming Activity

Air District staff are currently planning amendments to two woodsmoke rules: Regulation 5: Open Burning and Rule 6-3: Particulate Matter – Woodburning Devices. Planned amendments to Regulation 5 would expand fee exemptions for all prescribed burns for wildfire prevention. Details can be found on the Woodsmoke Rule Amendment webpage.

The Air District will host two virtual public workshops to provide the public with an opportunity to learn about, discuss, and comment on the planned amendments to Regulation 5 and Rule 6-3. 

  • The Regulation 5 (open burning) workshop will be conducted virtually via webcast on June 2, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM
  • The Rule 6-3 (woodburning devices) workshop will be conducted virtually via webcast on June 3, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

A web link to join the workshop will be available on the Woodsmoke Rule Amendment webpage prior to the workshop.

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Hearings, Workshops and Other Events

Throughout the rule development process, we provide information on upcoming and past workshops, hearings, and other events.

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Documents

Supporting materials, such as staff reports, regulatory language, and other technical documents related to rule development, are posted throughout the development process.

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Comments

The Air District provides opportunities for the public to submit comments throughout the development process, and posts comments received during the open public comment periods.

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Spare the Air Status

Last Updated: 5/23/2025