Controlled Burns

The 4:00 p.m. Burn Law

The 4:00 p.m. Burn Law is a ban (or restriction) on open air burning before four (4) o'clock in the afternoon if your fire is within 300 feet of the woods or dry grass which can carry the fire to the woods. You are allowed to burn between 4:00 p.m and midnight as long as you take proper care and precaution and attend your fire at all times.

Prohibited Open Burning

The burning of garbage, refuse, trash, rubbish, and other forms of liquid or solid waste is prohibited at all times.

Helpful Hints for Leaf Burning

• Burn only dry leaves. Wet leaves produce unnecessary smoke generation.
• Burn only small piles no more than three (3) feet wide and two (2) feet tall. Large, long piles do not completely burn.
• Never use gas, lighter fluid, or any other fuel to kindle or rekindle a fire. If the leaves need fuel to burn, they are too wet to burn and may create potential for injury.
• Start the fire in your leaf pile against the wind. This will allow the fire to burn slower and burn deeper into the leaf pile.
• Keep small children away from the fire and out of the smoke.
• Keep a garden hose handy in case of sudden, uncontrolled fire spread.

Notification Requested

All citizens are requested to notify the Orange County Emergency Communciations Center at (540) 672-1234 prior to conducting an open burn. For more information about burning, please visit the Virginia Department of Forestry's website.