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West Virginia officials announce burning restrictions

State fire season begins Sunday

(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Division of Forestry is reminding residents to limit outdoor burning to between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. as the state’s spring fire season begins Sunday.

“Despite the recent cold and snowy winter, the fuel sources can dry out quickly,” said Jeremy Jones, state forester and director of the Division of Forestry. “Since Jan. 1, we have responded to 50 fires that have consumed approximately 232 acres. We urge everyone to strictly adhere to burning regulations, particularly during sunny and windy conditions.”

Statewide burning restrictions will remain in effect until the spring fire season closes May 31, according to a release from the West Virginia Department of Commerce.

The Division of Forestry has issued burning guidelines online at wvforestry.com/fire-laws. Regulations include:

∫ All fires must have a safety strip, which itself must be cleared of burnable material and must be at least 10 feet wide.

∫ Fire must be attended until completely extinguished.

∫ Only vegetative materials such as leaves, brush and yard clippings are permitted to be burned.

∫ Spark-throwing machinery such as power shovels or sawmills operating on land subject to fire must contain an adequate spark arrestor.

∫ Inflammable waste disposal areas must annually remove all grass, brush, debris and other inflammable material adjacent to disposal areas to provide adequate protection, preventing the escape of fire to adjacent lands.

“We understand that folks will be wanting to clean up their yards after the winter storms,” Jones said. “However, we urge everyone to adhere to our burning restrictions and to contact their local regional office with any questions about current conditions. During the sunny and warm days of spring, fuels can dry out quickly, allowing fires to start and spread easily.”

Commercial burning during prohibited periods requires a permit issued by local Division of Forestry offices. Contact information for those offices is available at https://wvforestry.com/contact-us

Any person or company that causes a fire on grass or forest land must reimburse the state for the cost of suppressing the fire, the release said. Fines for forest fires caused by negligence range from $100 to $1,000, with an additional civil penalty of $200.

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