Yea, happens in the country (like Calaveras county in CA) where the concept of burn piles is still acceptable, even controlled by the local fire department. When I was very wee in the 80s I remember my dad doing this in town. I doubt the good people of San Jose would look kindly on it. That being said, there’s something about the smell of mildewed decomposing grass and shrubs burning that waxes nostalgic for me.

For me it's lack of smog requirements reminds me of traveling in Mexico as a wee lad.

And these friends were from San Jose and went camping very close to Calaveras county haha.