2024-03-01 04:22:00
KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – With March already upon us, restricted burning season starts right with it. Come March 1, new hours begin for when a person can and cannot burn brush.
Charlie Spencer, Assistant Regional Forester/Region 5 with the West Virginia Division of Forestry, said there are three key aspects of the dry weather that makes this time of year easier for brush fires to spread quickly.
“Sun and wind are our biggest enemy when it comes to forest fires. The controlling factor, really, is leaves on the trees. Do we have green leaves, is it sunny and windy? And if the question is no, we don’t have green leaves, and yes it is sunny and windy, then we are probably going to have forest fires.”
Spencer said there are differences between fall and spring fire seasons.
“Yeah, spring fire season usually lasts longer. This February, we’ve already had 100 fires. Statewide, we’ve had 42 here in Region 5, which you know from Mason, down to Kanawha, Mingo and then the Kentucky and Ohio border,” Spencer said.
Spencer said burning household trash is always illegal. The only thing your allowed to burn is natural debris such as leaves and branches.
He also says that if you light a fire, it’s your responsibility.
The only times allowed for burning, as of March 1, are between 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. in West Virginia.
Spring forest fire season ends May 1 in West Virginia.
Ohio’s season is also from March to May. Burning is allowed from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
In Kentucky, allowed burning times are from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
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