News: Burning Guidelines in Effect Until Feb. 14

(Oct. 9, 2012) - Loudoun County allows specific open burning, as listed below, between October 1, 2012 and February 14th, 2013. Open burning is prohibited year-round within the town limits of Middleburg, Leesburg, Hamilton, Purcellville, Round Hill, Hillsboro, and Lovettsville. Open burning that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions or when atmosphere conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous may be prohibited and/or required to be extinguished.


Open Burning is permitted:
*When not otherwise prohibited within the town limits listed above.
 *For the burning of lawn clippings, tree trimmings and brush piles, generated on site, where street side trash service is not available for this purpose. The burning may be no closer than 50 feet from a structure.
 *For agricultural purposes, such as clearing a field or fence row, for materials generated on site. The burning may be no closer than 1,000 feet from an occupied structure (people within the building) and 50 feet to a structure and may not pose a hazard to highways and airfields.
*For bonfires, provided that they consist of seasoned wood, piled neatly, no more than 5 feet in diameter by 5 feet in height. The burning may be no closer than 50 feet from a structure, and shall not burn longer than 3 hours.
*Campfires, no more than 3 feet in diameter by 2 feet in height and used for cooking purposes, may not be located within 50 feet of any structure.

For questions regarding development related burning, please see the Open Burning Informational Bulletin on the Loudoun County Fire Marshal'€™s webpage.

All open burning must be reported to the Fire-Rescue Emergency Communications Center 703-777-0637 prior to ignition and when the fire is extinguished. Fires may not be added to between midnight-0500 hr and all fires must be actively attended by a responsible and competent person 18 yrs. or older, with means to control and extinguish the fire.

Fire Marshal Disclaimer: The Loudoun County Fire Marshal may impose regulations, at any time, based upon complaint, atmospheric or other environmental circumstances, to restrict or extinguish any fire that is otherwise permitted according to these guidelines. Violations of the open burning requirements may result in a conviction as a Class 1 Misdemeanor. In addition, the responsible party may be held liable for all damages and the costs of firefighting operations.

For further information regarding open burning guidelines and for questions please contact the Fire Marshal's Office at 703-777-8600 during normal business hours. You may also access this information by visiting the Loudoun County Fire Marshal'€™s webpage at www.loudoun.gov/firemarshal .