During the period of October 1, 2020, through midnight February 14, 2021, open burning is permitted for the burning of leaves, trees, brush, yard, and garden trimmings generated on-site, except where always prohibited.

Burning is always prohibited in the town limits of Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville, and Round Hill, or in urban or built-up areas (such as subdivisions) throughout Loudoun County and the Town of Leesburg.

Legally set, open-air fires are subject to all local regulations. Specifically:

• Limited to the burning of leaves and trees, brush, yard, and garden trimmings, which have been generated on
• The burning may be no closer than 50 feet from a structure and pose no hazards to a
• Fires must be reported to the ECC at 703-777-0637 before ignition and when the fire is
• For agricultural purposes, such as clearing a field or fence row, the items being burned must be grown or generated on Items may not be hauled or brought into a property to be burned. The burning may be no closer than 1,000 feet from an occupied structure and may not pose a hazard to highways and airfields.
• For bonfires, provided 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
• Fires shall always be attended by a competent person(s) 18 yrs. of age or older, with provisions for control and extinguishment
• If, at any time, the fire is not attended and/or a means of extinguishment not immediately available, it must be fully extinguished by the person(s) responsible for the
• Portable fire pits and chimeneas are allowed and are not considered open burning if operated within the manufacturer’s

Prohibited Open Burning

On a year-round basis, open burning is always prohibited in the town limits of Leesburg, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville, Round Hill, and subdivisions (urban or built-up areas) throughout the County.

The burning of construction debris, plastics, tires, tar-based materials, oil or petroleum-based products, hazardous materials, chemicals, animal carcasses, and similar materials or waste is prohibited Countywide (towns included).

Effective February 15 through midnight April 30, open-air fires are prohibited between 2400 hours and 1600 hours (§10.1-1142, Code of Virginia and Section 307.1 of the Loudoun County Fire Prevention Code). Legally set fires (set between 1600-2400 hours) can smolder between 2400 hours and 1600 hours provided they are appropriately attended with means for extinguishment, and no additional fuel load is added during this timeframe.

Similarly, open burning is prohibited Countywide (towns included) during the period of May 1st through September 30th unless approved by the Loudoun County Fire Marshal’s Office. Campfires, no larger than 3 feet in diameter by 2 feet in height and used for cooking purposes are exempt from these prohibitions, provided they are no closer than 50 feet from a structure.

Development-Related Burning:

• All land clearing (pit burn) operations by contractors or landowners for development purposes shall be approved by the Fire Marshal’s Office. Such burning of trees, stumps and brush will likely require a permit from the Fire Marshal’s Office and the State Air Pollution Control
• Warming barrels at a construction site shall be approved by the Fire Marshal’s Office. As approved, burning must be of clean lumber, done in a barrel or similar container that is screened or covered to prevent flying embers and may be no closer than 15 feet from a structure.

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 and Penalty: Violations of the requirements on open burning may result in a conviction as a Class 1 Misdemeanor (confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both). In addition, the responsible party may be held liable for all damages and the costs of firefighting operations.

Questions can be directed to the Fire Marshal’s Office at 703-737-8600.