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Smyth County scales back local burn ban to match Virginia '4pm burning law'
Summary
The Board adopted a resolution to amend a locally-declared emergency burn ban and permit burning between 4:00 p.m. and midnight in alignment with Virginia Department of Forestry guidance; violations remain enforceable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.
On May 28 the Smyth County Board of Supervisors voted to amend a previously declared local emergency and modify the county's burn ban to allow burning from 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., consistent with the Virginia Department of Forestry '4pm burning law.'
County Administrator Shawn Utt read a resolution citing precipitation improvements, regional rescissions of burn bans, and recommendations from the Smyth County Public Safety Advisory Committee. The resolution states that violations will be enforced per the Department of Forestry guidance and may constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor with fines up to $500.
The Board adopted the amendment unanimously. Supervisors noted they acted after consultation with local fire chiefs, emergency management staff and the sheriff's department.
What happens next: The amended order takes effect immediately as recorded in the meeting minutes; enforcement will proceed under the procedures referenced on the Virginia Department of Forestry website.
