If You Must Burn - Virginia

For More InformationFor more information about VDOF services or programs, please contact your local Virginia Department of Forestry office or visit:

www.dof.virginia.gov

Western Region Office, Salem:Phone: (540) 387-5461

Central Region Office, Charlottesville:Phone: (434) 977-5193

Eastern Region Office, Providence Forge:Phone: (804) 966-5092

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Virginia Department of Forestry900 Natural Resources Drive, Suite 800Charlottesville, Virginia 22903Phone: (434) 977-6555

www.dof.virginia.govVDOF P00107; 09/2015

VI RGI NIA

Virginia Department of Forestry

What You Need to Know

Fire... No matter how small, can take your life and your property!

Fire LawsOutdoor

D. Anypersonwhobuildsafireintheopenair,orusesafirebuiltbyanotherintheopenair,within150feetofanywoodland,brushlandorfieldcontainingdrygrassorotherinflammablematerial,shalltotallyextinguishthefirebeforeleavingtheareaandshallnotleavethefireunattended.

E. Any person violating any provisions of this sectionshallbeguiltyofaClass3misdemeanorforeachseparateoffense. If any forest fire originates as a result of theviolation by any person of any provision of this section,suchpersonshall,inadditiontotheabovepenalty,beliableto theCommonwealth for the fullamountofallexpensesincurredbytheCommonwealthinsuppressingsuchfire.SuchamountsshallberecoverablebyactionbroughtbytheStateForesterinthenameoftheCommonwealthonbehalfoftheCommonwealthandcreditedtotheForestryOperationsFund.

Local OrdinancesBesuretocheckwithyourlocalfiredepartmentorsheriff’sofficeregardinganylocalfirelawsorordinances.

If You Must Burn...Follow these Fire Safety Tips:1. Contact your local fire department orVirginiaDepartmentofForestryoffice.

2. Bewareofpowerlines,treesandstructures.

3. Clearallflammablematerials,suchasdryleavesanddrygrass,fromaroundthefire.

4. Havewater and hand tools, such as ashoveland/orrake,available.

5. Have communication available or havesomeonenearbywhocancallforhelpincaseofanemergency.

6. Burnwhen thehumidity ishighand thewindiscalm.

7. Burn between 4:00 p.m. andmidnight. The 4 PM Burning Law is in effect from February 15 through April 30.

8. Staywiththefireuntilitiscompletelyout.

9. Keep your debris piles small, adding tothemastheyburndown.

10.Ifyouareusingaburnbarrel,makesurethebarrelisingoodconditionandcoveredwithawiremeshscreen.Clearalldrygrassandweedsfromaroundthebarrel(atleast10feetofclearance).

Be safe, not sorry!

KNOW THE FOREST LAWS AND LOCAL ORDINANCES BEFORE BURNING

ü Noburninguntil after 4:00p.m. February15throughApril30ofeachyear, if thefire is inorwithin300 feetofwoodland,brushlandorfield containingdry grass or other flammablematerial.

ü Fireshallnotbeleftunattendedifwithin150feetofwoodland,brushlandorfieldscontainingdrygrass.

ü Nonewfiressetorfueladdedaftermidnight.

ü Lawappliestocampfires,warmingfires,brushpiles,leaves,householdtrash,stumps,fieldsofbroomstrawandbrushoranythingcapableofspreadingfire.

ü Thelawprovidesforapenaltyofupto$500,pluspaymentofcourtcostsandfiresuppressioncostsifthefireescapes.

precautionstopreventthespreadofsuchfiretoanyotherland.

B. ExceptasprovidedinsubsectionC,duringtheperiodFebruary15 throughApril 30ofeachyear,even thoughtheprecautionsrequiredbytheforegoingsubsectionhavebeentaken, itshallbeunlawful, inanycountyorcityorportionthereoforganizedforforestfirecontrolunderthedirectionoftheStateForester,foranypersontosetfireto,ortoprocureanothertosetfireto,anybrush,leaves,grass,debrisorfieldcontainingdrygrassorother inflammablematerialcapableofspreadingfire,locatedinorwithin300feet of anywoodland, brushland, or field containingdrygrassorother inflammablematerial,exceptbetweenthehoursof4:00p.m.and12:00midnight.

Theprovisionsofthissubsectionshallnotapplytoanyfireswhichmaybesetonfederallands.

C. SubsectionBshallnotapplytoanyfiresetbetweenFebruary15andApril30ofeachyear,IF:

1.Thefireissetfor“prescribedburning”thatisconductedin accordancewith a “prescription” andmanaged by a“certified prescribed burnmanager” as those terms aredefinedin§10.1-1150.1;

2.Theburnisconductedinaccordancewith§10.1-1150.4;

3.TheStateForesterhas,priortoFebruary1,approvedtheprescriptionfortheburn,and

4.Theburn isbeingconducted foroneof the followingpurposes:(i)controlofexoticand invasiveplantspeciesthatcannotbeaccomplishedatother timesof theyear;(ii) wildlife habitat establishment andmaintenance thatcannotbeaccomplishedatothertimesoftheyear;or(iii)managementnecessaryfornaturalheritageresources.

TheStateForestermayonthedayofanyburnplannedtobeconductedpursuanttothissubsectionrevokeapprovaloftheprescriptionfortheburnifhazardousfireconditionsexist.TheStateForestermayrevokethecertificationofanycertifiedprescribedburnmanagerwhoviolatesanyprovisionofthissubsection.

Accidentscanhappen.Shouldyourfiregetoutofcontrol,CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY! Leavethefirefightingtotrainedprofessionals.Firecanbeavaluabletool.Itcanalsobedeadly!

Burning Laws in Detail§ 10.1-1142. Regulating the burning of woods, brush, etc.; penalties.

A. Itshallbeunlawfulforanyownerorlesseeoflandtosetfireto,ortoprocureanothertosetfireto,anywoods,brush, logs, leaves, grass, debris, or other inflammablematerialuponsuchlandunlesshepreviouslyhastakenallreasonablecareandprecaution,byhavingcutandpiledthesameorcarefullyclearedaroundthesame,topreventthespreadofsuchfiretolandsotherthanthoseownedorleasedbyhim.Itshallalsobeunlawfulforanyemployeeofanysuchownerorlesseeoflandtosetfiretoortoprocureanothertosetfiretoanywoods,brush,logs,leaves,grass,debris,

orotherinflammablematerial,uponsuchlandunlesshehastakensimilar

If the FIRE is beyond your control, STOP and CALL 911.

Burning Laws in Brief

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Help protect your family, your neighbors and yourself.

Do Not Burn Until After 4:00 p.m. From February

15 Through April 30