Virginia Burn Ban: Hours, Details, Penalties

Virginia’s burn ban law goes into effect at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15. The purpose of the law is to prevent wildfires in late winter/early spring.

Here’s the facts on where and when you’re prohibited from open air burning:

The law prohibits open air burning before 4 p.m. daily if your fire is in or within 300 feet of the woodland, brushland or fields containing dry grass or other flammable materials.

This ban applies to all open burning, including campfires.

During this time, winds can be elevated and the relative humidity is lower and the ground can be extremely dry.

Approved burning may take place between 4 p.m. and midnight only. Typically, by 4 p.m. the winds are calmer and the relative humidity begins to increase.

Violation of the 4 p.m. law is a class 1 misdemeanor punishable with up to 1 year in jail and find up to $2,500.

The law remains in effect until April 30 .

Source: Prince William County Fire and Rescue, City of Chesapeake