Beckley, WV (WOAY) – West Virginia’s fall fire season begins Oct. 1, limiting when residents can burn outdoors through the end of the year.
From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, state law allows outdoor burning only between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. Any fire must be out by 7 a.m.
“That’s vegetation only. We can’t burn manmade materials or trash. You need to stay with it and have a garden hose handy,” said Chris Graham, a captain with the Beckley Fire Department.
Graham recommends calling your local fire department before burning. That way, crews know what’s happening if a neighbor reports smoke.
The West Virginia Division of Forestry says dry leaves and lower humidity make fall an easy time for fire to spread.
“It’s a really good idea to rake leaves away from your house, maybe clear gutters and things like that just because the dry leaves can get there and it just takes one little ember to set them on fire and maybe start a fire near your house or on your roof,” Graham said.
Firefighters also caution that a fire’s danger reaches past the flames.
“Take a look around you, what’s near you? … Radiant heat can set things on fire that you may not think about, especially if you’re too close to a neighbor’s house or maybe your own house,” Graham said.
He said one of the most common mistakes comes while getting a burn pile started.
“People may throw gasoline on it and set it on fire and it kind of whooshes back on them. So just use common sense, use normal things to light it with. Don’t try to use an accelerant or anything like that,” Graham said.
Graham added that planning a burn around the weather adds another layer of safety.
“Take a good look at the weather. If it’s going to be raining … maybe do it right before the rain hits,” he said.
According to the Division of Forestry, violating the burn law can bring a fine of up to $1,000. Anyone whose fire escapes can be held responsible for the cost of fighting it and any damage it causes.
