Controlled fires are a common practice in Fauquier County and can be useful for disposing of leaves and woody debris.  They can also be useful in forest and wildlife management.  However, if carried out without needed caution, they can escape and injure people, animals, and damage or destroy property.

Open Burning

• DO NOT leave a fire unattended (State Law year round).Clear a safety zone that is wide enough to prevent the escape of the fire.
• Clear an area around the pile down to mineral soil before burning it to help prevent fire spread
• If a fire does escape, call 911 immediately.
• Keep a supply of water and a rake or shovel readily accessible.
• Burn when the wind is calm.
• Obey forest fire laws and air pollution regulations.
• Burn after 4 p.m. (State Law February 15 through April 30). The law applies to campfires, warming fires, brush piles, household trash, stumps, fields of broomstraw and brush or anything capable of spreading fire. The law provides for a penalty of up to $500, plus payment of court costs and fire suppression costs if the fire escapes. Read more about the 4 p.m. Burn Law from the Code of Virginia.
• Call Fauquier Communications Center at 540-347-1313 before beginning

Campfire Safety

• Clear a 10-foot safety circle of all leaves, pine needles, and flammable material.
• Never leave a campfire unattended.
• Adults should drown the fire "dead out" with water before leaving it.

You can help prevent damage to your home and buildings by making them Firewise.  See www.FirewiseVirginia.org for

more information, or contact the Department of Forestry Northern Virginia office at 540-347-6358.

For more information on Open Burning in Fauquier County and the 4 p.m. burn law visit http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/index.htm.