A law stating that no burning is allowed before 4 p.m. is set to take effect Friday according to officials from the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF).

The law, which is in effect Feb. 15 to April 30, states that no burning is permitted before 4 p.m. if the fire is within 300 feet of woodland, brushland or fields containing dry grass or other flammable material.

“Since forest fuels cure during the winter months, the danger of fire is higher in early spring than in summer when the forest and grasses are green with new growth,” VDOF officials cited.

This burn laws differ from similar laws that take effect during periods of extreme fire danger.

Debris burning continues to be the leading cause of forest fires in Virginia, the release from VDOF cited.

To learn more or obtain complete copies of the law, contact the local VDOF office in Buckingham and Prince Edward counties at (434) 983-1486, or the office in Cumberland County at (804)492-4171.