The Commonwealth's 4 p.m. Burning Law goes into effect Feb. 15 - the start of spring fire season in Virginia.

This law prohibits burning before 4 p.m. each day (Feb. 15 - April 30) if the fire is in, or within 300 feet of, woodland, brushland or fields containing dry grass or other flammable materials.

A violation of this law is a Class 3 misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine. In addition to the criminal violation, those who allow a fire to escape are liable for the cost of suppressing the fire as well as any damage caused to others' property.

For additonal questions you can visit the Virginia Department of Forestry web-site
http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/burn-bans.shtml

In addtion the the 4pm burn law please note that you must have a burn permit to burn after 4pm. Burn permits can be obtained by calling the Rockingham County Fire and Rescue office at 564-3175