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West Virginia Current Fire Restrictions (2026)

Info: West Virginia has no statewide burn ban right now, and the seasonal burning law is NOT in force right now — the fall season resumes October 1, 2026: the restricted seasons are March 1-May 31 and October 1-December 31, when outdoor burning is prohibited during the daytime hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (anything lit in the legal 5 p.m.-7 a.m. window must be completely out by 7 a.m.).

West Virginia has no statewide burn ban right now, and the seasonal burning law is NOT in force right now — the fall season resumes October 1, 2026: the restricted seasons are March 1-May 31 and October 1-December 31, when outdoor burning is prohibited during the daytime hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (anything lit in the legal 5 p.m.-7 a.m. window must be completely out by 7 a.m.). 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.