The Suffolk Fire Marshal’s Office would like to remind citizens the Virginia Department of Forestry 4:00 p.m. Burn Law will go into effect February 15th and lasts through April 30th. Open burning with a permit is allowed from 4:00 p.m. to midnight only. The Virginia Department of Forestry Burn Law, as described above, also applies to recreational fires.
This law prohibits burning before 4:00 p.m. Winds usually calm down and the relative humidity levels are on the increase after 4:00 p.m., both of which reduce the potential for a debris fire or any other open air fire to escape your control.
In addition to the criminal violations, those who allow a fire to escape are liable for the cost of suppressing the fire as well as any damage caused to other’s property.
The “Summer Burn Ban” will be in effect May 1st through September 30th.
For more information on the Virginia Department of Forestry 4:00 p.m. Burn Law or the “Summer Burn Ban”, contact the Suffolk Fire Marshal’s Office at 757-514-4550, or via email at fireprevbureau@suffolkva.us.