Wayne County, West Virginia
West Virginia's statewide statutory rule applies today: restrictions on residential and open burning are in force. Statewide, outside of city limits with local ordinances that supersede.
What this means
- Small cooking fires (grill, camp stove)
Penalties in West Virginia
Under WV Code §20-3-5, a first violation of the fire-season restriction is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $100 to $1,000. If the fire escapes and damages property, the responsible party can be held liable for suppression costs and civil damages.
Classification: Misdemeanor · Maximum fine: $100 – $1,000
Sources & audit log
| Checked | Source | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 2026 | West Virginia Division of Forestry ↗ | status: Partial Restrictions |
Neighbouring counties
Notify me when this changes
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Still legal during a ban
None of these are a way around Wayne county's restriction — they're what stays legal regardless of it: contained burning, screened fire pits, and basic fire safety gear. Always confirm locally before burning anything.
Contained burn barrels
A lidded, spark-arrestor barrel keeps debris burning contained rather than as open burning — check your county's rules, since some bans cover any outdoor fire regardless of containment.
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Most burn bans target open debris burning, not a screened recreational fire pit — but always confirm locally, since some restrictions cover any outdoor flame.
Fire extinguishers
Always worth having on hand near any permitted fire, ban or no ban.
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Limits of this information
burnbanradar reads public burn-ban orders as published by West Virginia Division of Forestry and reports them unchanged. Cities and municipalities within Wayne county may impose stricter rules than the county order. Water districts and state forestry rules may add further restrictions. When an order is ambiguous or the source cannot be reached, we show Unconfirmed instead of guessing a status. The county's own posted order governs.
Common questions
Is Wayne county under a burn ban right now?
Partial restrictions apply. West Virginia's statewide rule limits when and where you can burn today. See the "What this means" module above for the specifics.
What can I still burn in Wayne county?
Standard open burning is currently permitted, subject to any municipal ordinance in your area. Never leave a fire unattended, and keep water and a shovel nearby.
How do I report an illegal fire in Wayne county?
Call 911 for any fire that is out of control or threatens property. For a non-emergency burn-ban violation, you can also reach WV Division of Forestry — Report a Violation at 304-558-2788, option 9 (for a witnessed burning-law violation; call 911 for an active fire), or contact the Wayne Sheriff's Office.