CHARLESTON,
W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Forestry reminds residents that the
state’s fall forest fire season starts on Oct. 1, 2012, and runs through Dec.
31, 2012. During these three months, daytime burning is prohibited from
the hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outdoor burning is permitted only between
the hours of 5 p.m. and 7 a.m.
State
law requires a ring or safety strip around outdoor fires to keep the fire from
spreading into the woods. This safety strip must be cleared of all
burnable material and be at least 10 feet wide completely around the debris
pile.
Additional
requirements of the state’s fire laws include staying on-site until the fire is
completely extinguished, and only burning vegetative materials like leaves,
brush and yard clippings.
If you allow a fire you have started to
escape and it causes a wildfire or forest fire, you will be subject to fines
ranging from $100 to $1,000. An additional civil penalty of $200 also
will be assessed against you.
The
Division of Forestry offers these tips for safe outdoor burning:
·
Burn
only after 5 p.m. — it’s the law — and put your fire out completely by 7 a.m.
·
Put
debris in several small piles instead of one large one
·
Never
burn on dry, windy days
·
Select
a safe place away from overhead power lines, phone lines or other obstructions
and where the fire cannot spread into the woods or weedy or brushy areas
·
Clear
at least a 10-foot area around the fire and make sure the area is clear of all
burnable material
·
Have
water and tools on hand to extinguish anything that may escape the burn area
·
Be
conscientious of neighbors and don’t burn debris that produces a lot of smoke
at times when smoke does not rise. If the smoke spreads out near the
ground instead of rising, put out the fire and burn another time.
·
Stay
with the fire at all times until it is completely out. Leaving a fire
unattended for any length of time is illegal.
·
Call
911 immediately if a fire does escape
Commercial burning permits may be
obtained by public utilities and people burning in conjunction with commercial,
manufacturing, mining or like activities. These burning permits cost $125
each and are issued by local Division of Forestry offices. A permit is
required for each site where this type of burning takes place.
