Eager to burn? Wait your turn! No burning before 4 p.m.

The Commonwealth’s 4 p.m. Burning Law goes into effect Feb. 15th – the start of spring fire season in Virginia. The law prohibits burning before 4 p.m. each day until April 30th if the fire is in, or within 300 feet of, woodland, brushland or fields containing dry grass or other flammable materials.

This law has been on the books since 1950 and has been credited with saving hundreds of thousands of acres from the damages of wildfires. “The 4 p.m. Law is one of the most effective tools we have in the prevention of wildfires,” said John Miller, director of resource protection at the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF). “By adhering to the law and not burning before 4 p.m., people are less likely to start a fire that threatens them, their property and the forests of Virginia.”

Why 4 p.m.?  After 4 p.m. the winds calm, the temperature decreases and the humidity increases – all these factors contribute to safer burning conditions. Just because it might be “legal” to burn, it might NOT be wise to do so.  This is especially true if it has been several days since rain; the winds are high, or if you don’t have the tools and equipment to contain or control your fire.

To learn more about the law and how to protect yourself and your property, visit www.dof.virginia.gov/info/faqs-burning.htm

A violation of the 4 p.m. Law is a Class 3 misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine. In addition to the criminal violation, those who allow a fire to escape are liable for the cost of suppressing the fire as well as any damage caused to others’ property.