CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The restricted burning season is now in effect in West Virginia. During the months of October, November, and December in West Virginia burning must be confined to the hours of 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. due to the increased risk of forest fires.
“If you do decide to burn after 5 p.m. you have to stay with the fire and we recommend you have a hose and tools on hand. You’re required to have a 10 foot ring of barren soil around the fire and it has to be out by 7 a.m. the next morning,” said State Division of Forestry Director Jeremy Jones.
Jones pointed out the top cause of wildfires in the last ten years in the Mountain State is debris fires which got out of hand.
He said amazingly, there are some who won’t stay with their fire. That’s typically when the blaze gets out of control and then it’s too late.
“It does happen and the reason for that being in state code is that’s usually what happens when the fire escape is the person usually wasn’t there to make sure the fire stays within its pile,” he added.
Debris burning accounts for about 35 percent of the wildfires in West Virginia.
It’s important to point out if you are found responsible for a fire, you’re also responsible for the cost of fighting the fire and the cost of any damages it may cause, plus whatever fine is added on top of those costs. Things can quickly get expensive.
This weekend there is rain in the forecast for much of the state as a cold front moves in. Jones said that’s good news, but even after a heavy, soaking rain, in the fall in West Virginia it doesn’t take but a few hours for the low humidity, wind, and sunshine to dry out the fuels and drive the fire risk right back to the top.