Open burning restrictions are in effect through April

The Loudoun County Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding residents that open burning is restricted in the county from Feb. 15 to April 30. The regulations, which prohibit open-air fires between midnight and 4 p.m., are enforced by the Virginia Department of Forestry and the county fire marshal.

Known as the “4 p.m. law,” the restrictions are enforced because of the potential for the rapid spread of fire across woodland and grassland areas resulting from dry outdoor fuels, high winds and the increased temperatures usually present in late winter and early spring.

Residents who want to conduct open burning must contact the county emergency communications center at 703-777-0333 before igniting a fire and again after it has been extinguished.

For information about open burning restrictions, go to www.loudoun.gov/openburning or call 703-737-8600.

Reprinted from Leesburg Today