03/15/2026
🔥WV Burning Season Rules🔥
West Virginia has two official forest fire seasons each year:
• March 1 – May 31 (spring)
• October 1 – December 31 (fall) 
During these seasons:
• You can only burn between 5:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
• No burning from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• The fire must be completely out by 7:00 AM. 
If you burn during the daytime in those months, you can get cited and fined up to about $1,000. 
🔥 Requirements When You Burn
If you burn legally, you must follow these safety rules:
• Clear a 10-foot safety strip around the burn area down to bare soil.
• Stay with the fire at all times until it is completely out.
• Only burn natural vegetation (brush, leaves, yard debris).
• Keep water/tools nearby to control the fire. 
❌ Things You CANNOT Burn
Illegal materials include:
• Household trash
• Construction debris
• Plastics, rubber, tires
• Chemicals, paint, oils
• Treated lumber or pallets 
✔ Exceptions
These can be done anytime:
• Small campfires for cooking, warmth, or light (with a cleared 10-ft area).
• Fires when the ground is covered with at least 1 inch of snow. 
⚠️ Liability
If your fire escapes and causes a wildfire, you can be held responsible for:
• Firefighting costs
• Property damage
• Criminal penalties.
✅ Right now (March 2026) West Virginia is in spring fire season, so burning is only legal after 5 PM until 7 AM. ONLY NATURAL VEGETATION CAN BE BURNT!
