Local Burn Restrictions

Fall Wildfire Season

October 15 - November 30
Conditions are ripe for wildfires this time of year.

Localities with outdoor fire restrictions

We list information here as a courtesy; however, always check with your local fire department or Sheriff's office prior to burning.

Spring Wildfire Season

February 15 - April 30
During this period, the 4PM Burn Law is in effect.

Cities and Towns

• Charlottesville, City of: All open burning within the city is prohibited. Questions? Contact the Charlottesville Fire Marshal before any burning.
• Suffolk, City of: All open burning is prohibited.
• Chilhowie, Town of (Smyth County) The Town's Open Burn Ordinance prohibits open burning except in areas of Town zoned agricultural. Any permissible open burning must have a permit from the fire department. Residents can contact the fire department for questions or to obtain a permit. The telephone number is 276.646.3131.
• Newport News: All open burning is prohibited.

Counties in Virginia

• Arlington County: All open burning is prohibited without a permit from the Fire Marshal.
• Fairfax County: All open burning is prohibited without a permit from the Fire Marshal.
• Isle of Wight County: All open burning is prohibited. Some exemptions exist - contact the County Fire Code Official's Office at 757.365.6308.
• King George: All open burning is prohibited.
• Loudoun County: From May 1 through Sept. 30, all open burning is prohibited in Loudoun County, the Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management Department has announced. The ban is based on air quality standards developed by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and is enforced by the county Fire Marshal’s Office. In 2011, the state changed regulations that apply to several regions, including Northern Virginia, extending the ban to include May and September. Campfires are the only burning allowed without the approval of the Fire Marshal’s Office. Campfires can be no larger than three feet in diameter and two feet in height and must be 50 or more feet from buildings. Open burning, including campfires, is banned year-round in the towns of Leesburg, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville and Round Hill, and in some subdivisions. For information, call the Fire Marshal’s Office at 703-777-8600 during business hours or go to www.loudoun.gov/firemarshal.
• Northampton County: All open burning is prohibited.
• Page County: All open burning is prohibited.
• Roanoke County: Roanoke County bans burning in populated sections of the county and requires a burning permit in remaining areas. Residents should check with Fire Marshall.
• Rockbridge County: All open burning is prohibited.

Shenandoah National Park Firewood Ban

The Shenandoah National Park (SNP) bans campers from bringing firewood into the park. The ban on bringing firewood into the SNP is an attempt to slow the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer. The small beetle is responsible for the deaths of tens of millions of ash trees.

4PM Burn Law and Burning

Read our Frequently Asked Questions: Can I Burn? to learn more and help prevent forest fires.

Last modified: Friday, 12-Apr-2013 08:14:46 EDT