4/26/2010
Outdoor burning laws still apply through May 31
Due to recent rainfall and increased humidity throughout the state, Gov. Joe Manchin is rescinding the outdoor burning ban. Starting at 4 p.m. today, Monday, April 26, 2010, regular spring forest fire season laws regarding outdoor burning will be in effect through May 31:
•All outdoor burning is prohibited between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
•All outdoor fires must have a safety strip for a minimum distance of 10 feet around the materials being burned. This strip must be cleared down to the mineral soil to lessen the chances of an errant spark escaping into the woods and starting a forest fire.
•All fires must be totally extinguished and not left unattended for any period of time.
•Anyone caught breaking the law can be charged with a misdemeanor, fined up to $300, and held liable for costs of fighting the fire and any damage the fire may have caused to others’ property.
From April 1 through April 9, the number of forest fires and the number of acres burned increased dramatically from 108 fires and 773 acres on April 1 to 283 fires and 8,457 acres on April 9. Since the burning ban began on April 10, an additional 105 fires were reported and 3,158 acres have been burned. For the year so far, 388 fires have burned 11,615 acres statewide.
Contact Information
Leslie Fitzwater
304-957-9342
leslie.c.fitzwater@wv.gov