Burning Law goes into effect February 15th.
The Commonwealth’s 4pm Burning Law goes into effect February 15th –the start of spring fire season in Virginia. The law prohibits burning before 4pm each day until April 30th if the fire is in, or within 300 feet of, woodland, brush land or fields containing dry grass of other flammable materials.
Residents are allowed to burn between 4pm and midnight as long as proper care and precautions are considered. All open burning must be constantly attended until the fire is completely extinguished. The attendee must have immediate access to some form of approved fire extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water or fire extinguisher.
The City of Danville Open Burning Regulations restricts what can be burned within the city limits to only allowing leaves, tree trimmings, yard and garden trimmings to be burned. The fires have to be 50 feet from any structure and provisions have to be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 50 feet of any structure. The regulations also require the written permission from property owners of buildings located within 300 feet of the burning site. These open burning regulations are in place all year long within the City of Danville.
Residents are encouraged to check the weather prior to burning to ensure conditions are favorable. Low humidity and high winds are considered unfavorable conditions and will allow the fire to become uncontrollable.
In the event the burning becomes a smoke or ash nuisance, or upon a declaration of an alert, warning, or emergency conditions, all burning may be halted.
A violation of the “Burning Law” and the “City of Danville Open Burning Regulation” are both class one misdemeanors which are punishable by a fine not to exceed 2,500, or imprisonment not exceeding 12 months or both.
For additional information contact the Danville Fire Department Fire Marshal Office at 799-5226.
Released by R.N. Guill Assistant Fire Marshal.