← West Virginia burn ban rules›Current Fire Restrictions
West Virginia Current Fire Restrictions (2026)
Conditional: West Virginia's fall burning season is IN EFFECT now: it began October 1, 2026 and runs through December 31, 2026, and during it outdoor burning is prohibited during the daytime hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and anything lit in the legal 5 p.m.-7 a.m. window must be completely out by 7 a.m. (West Virginia Division of Forestry fire-laws page; the spring season runs March 1-May 31).
West Virginia's fall burning season is IN EFFECT now: it began October 1, 2026 and runs through December 31, 2026, and during it outdoor burning is prohibited during the daytime hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and anything lit in the legal 5 p.m.-7 a.m. window must be completely out by 7 a.m. (West Virginia Division of Forestry fire-laws page; the spring season runs March 1-May 31). West Virginia has no statewide burn ban beyond this seasonal rule. Year-round rules still apply whenever you burn: only vegetative material (leaves, brush, yard clippings); a cleared safety strip or ring at least 10 feet wide fully around the pile; the fire must be attended until completely extinguished; spark arrestors required on spark-throwing machinery. Even in burning season, small fires for cooking, warmth or light are excluded if 10 feet around them is cleared, as is burning when the ground is covered by an inch or more of snow. Penalties: negligence fines run $100-$1,000 plus a $200 civil penalty, and the State recovers its full suppression costs from whoever caused the fire. Commercial burning during a prohibited period needs a Division of Forestry permit. Counties and municipalities can impose their own bans — check locally.
Official source: wvforestry.com →
Check the live restriction status: wvforestry.com →
General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.
Current Fire Restrictions in states bordering West Virginia
The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.
- KentuckyConditional
Kentucky's fall forest fire hazard season is IN EFFECT now: it began on Thursday, October 1, 2026 and runs through December 15, 2026: during it, burning between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland is illegal (Division of Forestry; the spring season runs February 15 through April 30). …
Verified Oct 17, 2026 · Source: eec.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
- MarylandInfo
Maryland's summer open-burning prohibition is OUT OF SEASON: under state air-quality regulation COMAR 26.11.07.03C, open burning is PROHIBITED June 1 through Aug 31 each year in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties and Baltimore City — and from September 1 through May 31 the local control officer may again issue open-burn permits there (COMAR 26.11.07.03B). …
Verified Oct 17, 2026 · Source: dnr.maryland.gov · Full Maryland rule →
- OhioConditional
Ohio's fall open-burning restriction is IN EFFECT now: it began October 1, 2026 and runs through November 30, 2026. …
Verified Oct 17, 2026 · Source: ohiodnr.gov · Full Ohio rule →
- PennsylvaniaInfo
No statewide burn ban (one requires a Governor's proclamation — none active), and the annual state-forest spring restriction (fire rings prohibited Mar 1–May 25) is out of season, though state-forest fires are also barred whenever fire danger is high, very high or extreme. …
Verified Oct 16, 2026 · Source: elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov · Full Pennsylvania rule →
- VirginiaInfo
No statewide burning restriction is in effect right now — Virginia's 4 PM Burning Law applies only Feb 15–Apr 30. During prolonged drought or elevated fire danger, individual localities may enact temporary local burn bans; current local status comes from your local government office, fire department or emergency management agency, and the Dept. of Forestry posts a Daily Fire Danger Rating during fire season. Always check with local officials before burning (VDOF Burning Restrictions page).
Verified Oct 16, 2026 · Source: dof.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →
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