State's 4 P.M. Burn Law Goes Into Effect

Release: Prince William County

On Sunday, Feb. 15, Virginia’s 4 p.m. burn law goes into effect. It remains in effect until April 30. Approved burning may take place between 4 p.m. and midnight only.

The law prohibits open-air burning before the hours of 4 p.m. daily if your fire is in or within 300 feet of woodlands, brushland or fields containing dry grass or other flammable materials. During this time, winds can be elevated and the relative humidity is lower; the forest floor fuels are extremely dry, having “cured” without tree leaves to shade them. Typically, by 4 p.m. the winds are calmer and the relative humidity begins to increase.

This ban applies to all open burning, including campfires. For more information on open burning, please call the Prince William County Fire Marshal’s Office at (703) 792-6360 or visit them online at www.pwcgov.org.