The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office reminds community members and visitors that open burning is prohibited in Loudoun County and the incorporated Towns of Leesburg, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville, and Round Hill, between May 1 and September 30.
These regulations prohibit open air fires or open burning with the following exceptions:
- Campfires, no larger than three feet in diameter by two feet in height and used for cooking purposes, are exempt from these prohibitions, provided they are not within 50 feet of any structure.
- Portable outdoor fireplaces and chimineas are not considered open burning but must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and shall not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material. Single-family, attached and detached, homes are exempt from the distance mandate but are strongly encouraged to follow this fire safe practice.
- On a year-round basis, open burning (including campfires) is always prohibited in the town limits of Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville, Round Hill, and all subdivisions (“urban or built-up areas”) throughout the county.
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.
Any person who violates the fire code could be convicted of a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries a penalty of a fine up to $2,500 and up to a year in jail. Further, if convicted, a person may be required to compensate the locality for the full cost of fighting a fire…