Fall Forest Fire Season Begins October 1 

Because of cooler temperatures, increased humidity and calmer winds, residents may only conduct outdoor burning in the evening and early morning, between 4 p.m. and 7 a.m. Only brush, leaves and limbs may be burned.

Year-round requirements for burning outdoors include the following:

• A safety strip of at least 10 feet must be placed around burning materials. To prevent wayward sparks from igniting a forest fire, the strip must be cleared down to the mineral soil.
• Fires must be attended at all times and cannot be unattended until fully extinguished.
• A violation of any outdoor-burning restrictions may result in a misdemeanor charge, a fine of up to $300 and liability for costs of fighting the fire and the damage caused by the fire to property.

Ben Webster, fire staff assistant for Forestry, says to use common sense when burning brush, especially when weather conditions increase the risk of forest fires.  

“Almost all forest fires in West Virginia can be prevented,” Webster said. “If an area is extremely dry, wait until rain has fallen before burning outdoors.”

Keep a rake, shovel and water hose available if a fire does begin to escape.  For more information about the fall forest fire season, visit the Division of Forestry’s Web site at www.wvforestry.com.

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