04/15/2026
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
April 15, 2026
Dinwiddie County Announces Countywide Burn Ban
Dinwiddie County has announced a temporary, Countywide burn ban effective immediately. The burn ban prohibits any open-air burning. This temporary ban remains in effect until the next widespread soaking rain covers Dinwiddie County. A notice will be posted when the burn ban is officially lifted. County residents are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution when handling any potential ignition sources, including machinery, ci******es, and matches. All smoking materials must be completely extinguished and properly discarded. Dry grass and accumulated tree debris can ignite easily and spread fire rapidly.
The ban was recommended by Dinwiddie Fire and EMS and approved by County Administrator W. Kevin Massengill, in accordance with (Sec. 10-4.1). Dinwiddie's burn ban supersedes the annual statewide burn law that prohibits open-air burning between 4 p.m. and midnight from February 15 to April 30.
Sec. 10-4.1. - Open burning or fires during a fire hazard
(a) Whenever the county administrator, after consultation with appropriate agencies, determines that a drought condition exists, or that forest lands, brush lands, and fields have become so dry, or that other conditions exist to create an extraordinary fire hazard, the county administrator may declare that open burning or fires are prohibited in part or all of the county.
(b) Following such a declaration, it shall be unlawful for any person to burn brush, grass, leaves, trash, debris, or any other flammable material or to ignite or maintain any open fire within the county or within any part of the county subject to the prohibition. The declaration of the county administrator shall remain effective until the county administrator declares the drought condition abated and the prohibition terminated.
(c) When any such declaration is issued, amended, or rescinded, the county administrator shall promptly post a copy of the declaration, amendment, or rescission on the front door of the county courthouse and at each fire station in the area of the county in which the emergency has been declared. In addition, the county administrator shall publish the declaration, amendment, or rescission in a newspaper of general circulation.
(d) Enforcement
(1)The fire official and the sheriff shall enforce the provisions of this section.
(2)Violation of this section shall be punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.
(e) Each violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense.
Please direct all questions to Dinwiddie Fire and EMS at (804) 469-5388.
