For More InformationFor more information about VDOF services or programs, please contact your local Virginia Department of Forestry office or visit:

www.dof.virginia.gov

Western Region Office, Salem:Phone: (540) 387-5461

Central Region Office, Charlottesville:Phone: (434) 977-5193

Eastern Region Office, Providence Forge:Phone: (804) 966-5092

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Virginia Department of Forestry900 Natural Resources Drive, Suite 800Charlottesville, Virginia 22903Phone: (434) 977-6555

www.dof.virginia.govVDOF P00107; 09/2015

VI RGI NIA

Virginia Department of Forestry

What You Need to Know

Fire... No matter how small, can take your life and your property!

Fire LawsOutdoor

D. Anypersonwhobuildsafireintheopenair,orusesafirebuiltbyanotherintheopenair,within150feetofanywoodland,brushlandorfieldcontainingdrygrassorotherinflammablematerial,shalltotallyextinguishthefirebeforeleavingtheareaandshallnotleavethefireunattended.

E. Any person violating any provisions of this sectionshallbeguiltyofaClass3misdemeanorforeachseparateoffense. If any forest fire originates as a result of theviolation by any person of any provision of this section,suchpersonshall,inadditiontotheabovepenalty,beliableto theCommonwealth for the fullamountofallexpensesincurredbytheCommonwealthinsuppressingsuchfire.SuchamountsshallberecoverablebyactionbroughtbytheStateForesterinthenameoftheCommonwealthonbehalfoftheCommonwealthandcreditedtotheForestryOperationsFund.

Local OrdinancesBesuretocheckwithyourlocalfiredepartmentorsheriff’sofficeregardinganylocalfirelawsorordinances.

If You Must Burn...Follow these Fire Safety Tips:1. Contact your local fire department orVirginiaDepartmentofForestryoffice.

2. Bewareofpowerlines,treesandstructures.

3. Clearallflammablematerials,suchasdryleavesanddrygrass,fromaroundthefire.

4. Havewater and hand tools, such as ashoveland/orrake,available.

5. Have communication available or havesomeonenearbywhocancallforhelpincaseofanemergency.

6. Burnwhen thehumidity ishighand thewindiscalm.

7. Burn between 4:00 p.m. andmidnight. The 4 PM Burning Law is in effect from February 15 through April 30.

8. Staywiththefireuntilitiscompletelyout.

9. Keep your debris piles small, adding tothemastheyburndown.

10.Ifyouareusingaburnbarrel,makesurethebarrelisingoodconditionandcoveredwithawiremeshscreen.Clearalldrygrassandweedsfromaroundthebarrel(atleast10feetofclearance).

Be safe, not sorry!

KNOW THE FOREST LAWS AND LOCAL ORDINANCES BEFORE BURNING

ü Noburninguntil after 4:00p.m. February15throughApril30ofeachyear, if thefire is inorwithin300 feetofwoodland,brushlandorfield containingdry grass or other flammablematerial.

ü Fireshallnotbeleftunattendedifwithin150feetofwoodland,brushlandorfieldscontainingdrygrass.

ü Nonewfiressetorfueladdedaftermidnight.

ü Lawappliestocampfires,warmingfires,brushpiles,leaves,householdtrash,stumps,fieldsofbroomstrawandbrushoranythingcapableofspreadingfire.

ü Thelawprovidesforapenaltyofupto$500,pluspaymentofcourtcostsandfiresuppressioncostsifthefireescapes.

precautionstopreventthespreadofsuchfiretoanyotherland.

B. ExceptasprovidedinsubsectionC,duringtheperiodFebruary15 throughApril 30ofeachyear,even thoughtheprecautionsrequiredbytheforegoingsubsectionhavebeentaken, itshallbeunlawful, inanycountyorcityorportionthereoforganizedforforestfirecontrolunderthedirectionoftheStateForester,foranypersontosetfireto,ortoprocureanothertosetfireto,anybrush,leaves,grass,debrisorfieldcontainingdrygrassorother inflammablematerialcapableofspreadingfire,locatedinorwithin300feet of anywoodland, brushland, or field containingdrygrassorother inflammablematerial,exceptbetweenthehoursof4:00p.m.and12:00midnight.

Theprovisionsofthissubsectionshallnotapplytoanyfireswhichmaybesetonfederallands.

C. SubsectionBshallnotapplytoanyfiresetbetweenFebruary15andApril30ofeachyear,IF:

1.Thefireissetfor“prescribedburning”thatisconductedin accordancewith a “prescription” andmanaged by a“certified prescribed burnmanager” as those terms aredefinedin§10.1-1150.1;

2.Theburnisconductedinaccordancewith§10.1-1150.4;

3.TheStateForesterhas,priortoFebruary1,approvedtheprescriptionfortheburn,and

4.Theburn isbeingconducted foroneof the followingpurposes:(i)controlofexoticand invasiveplantspeciesthatcannotbeaccomplishedatother timesof theyear;(ii) wildlife habitat establishment andmaintenance thatcannotbeaccomplishedatothertimesoftheyear;or(iii)managementnecessaryfornaturalheritageresources.

TheStateForestermayonthedayofanyburnplannedtobeconductedpursuanttothissubsectionrevokeapprovaloftheprescriptionfortheburnifhazardousfireconditionsexist.TheStateForestermayrevokethecertificationofanycertifiedprescribedburnmanagerwhoviolatesanyprovisionofthissubsection.

Accidentscanhappen.Shouldyourfiregetoutofcontrol,CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY! Leavethefirefightingtotrainedprofessionals.Firecanbeavaluabletool.Itcanalsobedeadly!

Burning Laws in Detail§ 10.1-1142. Regulating the burning of woods, brush, etc.; penalties.

A. Itshallbeunlawfulforanyownerorlesseeoflandtosetfireto,ortoprocureanothertosetfireto,anywoods,brush, logs, leaves, grass, debris, or other inflammablematerialuponsuchlandunlesshepreviouslyhastakenallreasonablecareandprecaution,byhavingcutandpiledthesameorcarefullyclearedaroundthesame,topreventthespreadofsuchfiretolandsotherthanthoseownedorleasedbyhim.Itshallalsobeunlawfulforanyemployeeofanysuchownerorlesseeoflandtosetfiretoortoprocureanothertosetfiretoanywoods,brush,logs,leaves,grass,debris,

orotherinflammablematerial,uponsuchlandunlesshehastakensimilar

If the FIRE is beyond your control, STOP and CALL 911.

Burning Laws in Brief

continued on back

Help protect your family, your neighbors and yourself.

Do Not Burn Until After 4:00 p.m. From February

15 Through April 30