The start of March brings spring fire season and new outdoor burning restrictions across West Virginia. The West Virginia Division of Forestry says outdoor burning is only allowed between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. The seasonal rules remain in effect through May.
Fires must have a 10-foot safety strip cleared of flammable materials and be attended until fully extinguished. Only vegetative debris may be burned, and any spark-producing machinery must have a spark arrestor. Waste disposal areas must be cleared each year, and commercial burning during restricted hours requires a permit.
Anyone responsible for starting a forest fire must cover containment costs. Negligence fines range from $100 to $1,000, with an additional $200 civil penalty.
Officials say dozens of fires have already burned more than 200 acres statewide this year, noting that dry spring conditions can quickly increase fire danger.