West Virginia Forest Fire Laws

The periods of each year between March 1 and May 31, inclusive, and October 1 and December 31, inclusive, are hereby designated as Forest Fire Seasons.

No person shall during ANY such fire season, except between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. prevailing time, set on fire or cause to be set on fire any forest land, or any grass, grain, stubble, slash, debris, or other inflammable materials. Any fire set during this time shall be extinguished prior to 7:00 a.m. prevailing time. Such prohibition of fires between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. prevailing time shall not be construed to include (1) small fires set for the purpose of food preparation, or providing light or warmth around which all grass, brush, stubble, or other debris has been removed for a distance of ten feet from the fire, and (2) burning which may be conducted at any time when the ground surrounding the burning site is covered by one inch or more of snow.

No burning may be done unless all inflammable material has been removed from around the material to be burned as a safety strip for a distance which insures that the fire will not escape and which is not less than 10 feet. If fire escapes beyond the safety strip, the person responsible shall be guilty of misdemeanor.

Before leaving ANY fire for ANY period of time, it must be totally extinguished.
Commercial permits to burn during the prohibited periods may be issued by the Division of Forestry.
All sawmills, power shovels, or an engine or machine capable of throwing sparks must be provided with an adequate spark arrestor if operating on land subject to fire by any cause.
All inflammable waste disposal areas on ANY land must annually have removed all grass, brush, debris and other inflammable material adjacent to such disposal areas to provide adequate protection to prevent the escape of fire to adjacent lands.
The State shall recover from the person or persons, firms or corporations whose negligence or whose violations of any provisions of this article cause ANY fire at ANY time on any grass or forest land the amount expended by the State.
A landowner must take all practicable means to suppress ANY fire on his property. If he fails to do so, the State shall collect form him the amounts expended by the State for such purposes.

Fire Prevention

Never leave matches and lighters lying around
Don't leave candles unattended
Never leave a lit cigarette or cigar lying around or unattended
If your clothes catch fire, DON'T run. STOP, DROP and ROLL

Have smoke detectors in all areas of any house, the more you have, the more likely you are to hear it
Check the battery in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors weekly
Change the battery in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when the times changes in Spring and Fall
If your detectors work off electric, Always have a battery back-up detector in the event of a power outage

Always keep a properly rated fire extinguisher close at hand in any work area or living area in case of a fire.
If you have to use the extinguisher, aim it at the base of the fire and sweep side to side.
Always check that extinguishers are not expired and that they have a good charge (arrow is in the green).
Extinguisher Classes to keep close at hand for residence: "A" "B" "C" or combination of all 3

Classification of Fires and Selection of Extinguishers; Fires are classified into four general categories depending
on the type of material or fuel involved. The type of fire determines the type of extinguisher that should be used to extinguish it.

Class A fires involve materials such as wood, paper, and cloth which produce glowing embers or char.

Class B fires involve flammable gases, liquids, and greases, including gasoline and most hydrocarbon liquids which must be vaporized for combustion to occur.

Class C fires involve fires in live electrical equipment or in materials near electrically powered equipment.

Class D fires involve combustible metals such as magnesium, zirconium, potassium and sodium.

If you have a fire, rescue or medical emergency, activate your local 9-1-1 system immediately
DON'T wait, Seconds Count, ANY delay may end in tragedy
In Wood and Wirt counties, if you have an emergency, dial the local emergency number - 9-1-1
Dial 9-1-1 and get out if you are in immediate danger!!!
Go to a neighbor and call 9-1-1 from there to give your information if you need to
If you have a difficult time seeing the numbers on a telephone, invest in a LARGE NUMBERED PHONE

Chemical Emergency - shelter in-place information

(Sponsored by Wood County Emergency Services Citizen Corps Council)

In the event of a release of hazardous chemicals into the air, here is what you and your family should do:

Stay calm and go indoors immediately.
Shut all doors and windows
Turn off AC/Heating to stop outside air from getting inside, cover cracks along doors and windows with tape, wet rags or towels.
Go to the room with the fewest number of windows and doors.
Turn to Emergency Broadcast Radio WXIL 95.1 FM and listen for instructions.
If you have trouble breathing, cover your mouth and nose with a wet cloth and dial 9-1-1 for medical assistance.
Listen to WXIL radio 95.1 FM for notification of when it is safe to go outdoors.