Before starting an outdoor fire of any kind, residents should call the Clarke County Emergency Communications Center at (540) 955-1234. By doing so, ECC operators will know how to respond should a passerby call 911 to report a fire, and ECC will know where outdoor burning is taking place should the fire get out of control.

What are the rules for open burning in Virginia?
The State Air Pollution Control Board’s Regulation for Open Burning specifies what materials may or may not be burned, and has seasonal restrictions on open burning for certain localities. The Virginia Department of Forestry provides information regarding outdoor fire laws and burn ban restrictions.

What am I not allowed to burn?
No one in Virginia may burn tires or other hazardous materials at any time. Regulation 9VAC-130-30 has a complete list of opening burning prohibitions. If you live in an area that restricts open burning, you must observe your local ordinance. If you live in an area with a smog problem, there are specific prohibitions on certain activities during the prime smog months of May through September.

What can I burn?
If you live in an area that does not have a local burning ordinance and you do not have curbside pickup, you can burn leaves and some household trash. Regulation 9VAC5-130-40 has a complete list of what and when households and certain businesses may burn.

Helpful Tips:
• Keep a garden hose handy in case of sudden, uncontrolled fire spread.
• Burn dry leaves. Wet leaves produce unnecessary smoke.
• Burn small piles no more than 3-feet wide and 2-feet tall. Large piles do not always burn completely.
• Never use gas, lighter fluid, or any other fuel to kindle or rekindle a fire. If leaves need fuel to burn, they are too wet, creating potential for injury.
• Keep small children away from fires and out of the smoke.