The 4pm Burning Law in Virginia bans open air burning starting February 15 through April 30.
In Augusta County, that means:
- Outdoor fires within 300 feet of woods or dry grass are not allowed before 4pm.
- Outdoor fires are permitted between 4pm and midnight. If you burn during these hours, you must be vigilant and watch the fire the whole time during the burn. No fuel should be added after midnight.
- Prior to conducting a controlled burn in Augusta County, you will need to contact the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) at the non-emergency phone number, 540-245-5061, to identify the location of the burn. Doing so will allow the 9-1-1 center to refer to the location should it be reported as a fire.
What is open air burning?
Open air burning includes any outdoor fire that is not covered and/or contained within non-flammable barriers and the smoke does not pass through a chimney. Typical types of open air burning can include, but are not limited to, bonfires, campfires, and yard waste burning. While the Burning Law does apply to open-air charcoal grills like those found in parks, the law does not apply to charcoal or gas-fired barbecue grills.
If you are burning more than 300 feet from the woods and in an area free of grass or vegetation that could allow the fire to spread, the 4pm Burning Law does not apply. Find more details about open air burning at the Virginia Department of Forestry website.
Burning between 4pm to Midnight
Burning is allowed between 4pm and midnight as long as the individual who is burning takes proper precautions and attends the fire at all times. New fuel should not be added to the fire after midnight.
All flammable material should be cleared from a 20-foot radius around the fire. Additional precautions should include ready access to water, rake, and shovel.
Reason for the Burn Law
The law exists to prevent wildfires, which are more likely to start and spread in the late winter and early spring.
Debris burning is the number one cause of wildfires. The 4pm Burning Law started in the 1940s to reduce the wildfires that occurred each spring when Virginia traditionally saw the most wildfires occur.
Fires are more likely to occur in late winter and early spring because winds are usually elevated, the relative humidity is lower, and the fuels on the forest floor are extremely dry, having “cured” all winter without the shade of tree leaves. After 4 pm, winds usually subside and humidity levels rise, reducing the potential for an open air fire to get out of control.
For more information on the 4pm Burning Law , visit the Department of Forestry website, https://dof.virginia.gov/wildland-prescribed-fire/fire-laws/4-pm-burning-law/
Learn more about controlled burns in Augusta County on the ECC webpage.
