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4pm Burning Law
4pm Burning Law Feb 15 - April 30

From https://dof.virginia.gov/wildland-prescribed-fire/fire-laws/4-pm-burning-law/

4 PM Burning Law

The 4 PM Burning Law bans open-air burning prior to 4:00 p.m. if the fire is within 300 feet of the woods or dry grass which could carry fire to the woods. Burning is allowed between 4:00 p.m. and midnight as long as the burner takes proper precautions and attends the fire at all times.

Reason for the 4 PM Burning Law

Debris burning is the number one cause of wildfires, closely followed by intentionally set or “arson” fires. The 4 PM Burning Law was adopted during the 1940s to reduce the number of wildfires which occurred each spring, when Virginia has traditionally seen an increased number of fires.

Fires are more likely during late winter and early spring because winds are usually elevated, the relative humidity is lower, and the fuels on the forest floor are extremely dry, having “cured” all winter without the shade of tree leaves. After 4:00 p.m., winds usually calm down and the relative humidity levels rise, both of which reduce the potential for a debris fire or any outdoor open-air fire to escape.

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Please keep the Abingdon Fire Department family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

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About Us

The Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department is an all volunteer agency serving Virginia Tech, Blacksburg and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County Virginia.

The department consists of three stations in various locations around Blacksburg. Department apparatus includes 5 engines, a tanker, 3 brush trucks, a 100' aerial platform, a 75' pumper/ladder, an mobile air & lighting truck, a mini-pumper, a high angle rescue & hazmat unit, a multi-purpose ATV, a command trailer, and several other support and response vehicles. Despite it's volunteer nature, the department has multiple 24/7 on-call duty officers and nightly duty crews, consistently meeting or exceeding a 4 minute response time to most incidents within the town limits.

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There are typically over 1000 alarms transmitted each year calling on the services of the department, dispatched by town, county, and Virginia Tech dispatchers. The various types of calls include residential, commercial and campus fire alarms, auto accidents, structure fires, car fires, minor fires in dumpsters or trash, wildland fires in the mountains and valleys around Blacksburg, hazardous material incidents, LifeGuard landing zone setup, rope rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue, elevator rescue and also carbon monoxide and other gas checks.

Get Involved

Our department runs on volunteers. If you have the time, interest, and desire, we want to hear from you!

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Fire Statistics

The top causes of residential fires according to the U.S. Fire Administration (as of 2020). 

Common Causes of Residential Fires - 2020 National Data

Current Year Calls

Calls By Year