The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is charged with enforcing Virginia’s forest fire laws. Agency Commissioned Special Forest Wardens share this responsibility with numerous other agency duties, and are unique in the fact that they are both firefighters and law enforcement officials.
Virginia law holds outdoor burners responsible for their fires and the impacts of those fires. Burners must stay with their fire at all times and totally extinguish the fire before leaving the area.
4 PM Burning Law
The 4 Pm Burning Law is in effect February 15 to April 30, restricting open air burning until after 4:00 p.m.
Learn more about the 4 PM Burning Law.
Burning Restrictions
Local counties and cities may impose their own restrictions, such as bans on burning during high fire danger weather and drought. Always check with local officials about local burn restrictions.
Learn more about Burning Restrictions.
Additional Resources
Learn more about the specific laws related to fire in the Code of Virginia.
| Image | Title | ID | Description | Content Type | View | hf:tax:document-category | hf:tax:Media |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 4PM Burning Law in Effect and Burning Law in Brief Sign | Sign/flier notifies that the 4PM Burning Law is in effect and provides a brief description of the burning law (8.5 in. x 14 in.). | Document | View | fire-and-emergency-response | document | |
 | 4PM Burning Law in Effect and Burning Law in Brief Sign – Spanish | Sign/flier notifies that the 4PM Burning Law is in effect and provides a brief description of the burning law (8.5 in. x 14 in.). Spanish | Document | View | fire-and-emergency-response | document | |
 | 4PM Burning Law in Effect Sign – Spanish | Sign/flier notifies that the 4PM Burning Law is in effect (8.5 in. x 11 in.). Spanish | Document | View | fire-and-emergency-response | document | |
 | Outdoor Fire Laws | P00107 | Brochure provides an overview, as well as detailed fire law information in the Commonwealth of Virginia, encouraging citizens to know the forest fire laws and local ordinances before burning, and safety tips for burning. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | fire-and-emergency-response | publication |
 | Virginia’s Forestry Laws | P00002 | Pocket guide provides detailed information about the forestry laws in Virginia, including general forestry laws, forest fire laws and penalties, certified prescribed burn manager laws, seed tree laws, riparian forest buffer tax credit laws, debris in streams laws and penalties, silvicultural water quality laws and penalties, and more. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | fire-and-emergency-response | publication |
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