Fall Burning Season Guidelines: New Laws for West Virginia

October 2, 2022

Mountaineer News

WEST VIRGINIA NEWS

Oct. 1 marked the beginning of new burning laws for West Virginia. Fire restrictions start on Oct. 1 and at the end of the year on Dec. 31.

According to the West Virginia Division of Forestry, fires are allowed from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. If you start a fire during that time frame, they say the fire must be completely extinguished by 7 a.m.

They say you can burn during prohibited times in two cases: using a small fire for food preparation, warmth or light where all flammable objects are at least 10 feet away from the fire, or when the ground around the burning site has at least one inch of snow or more.

To burn during prohibited times for commercial or business use, a permit needs to be obtained from the Division of Forestry at this website.

The website says fines for forest fires, “due to negligence,” can be up to $1,000 with an additional civil penalty of $200.