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Prince Edward County Institutes County-Wide Ban
on All Open-Air/Outdoor Fires
Burn Ban Effective 4:00 p.m., April 15, 2026
Prince Edward County Declares Local Emergency and Issues Countywide Burn Ban
The County of Prince Edward has declared a Local Emergency and instituted a countywide ban on all open-air fires and outdoor burning, effective 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in response to conditions creating a significantly elevated fire danger.
The ban is the result of current severe drought conditions in Prince Edward County, combined with little to no forecasted rainfall in the coming 10 to 14 days.
“In consultation with the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, the Prince Edward Area Firefighters Association, the Virginia Department of Forestry, and County Emergency Management, I have instituted a countywide open-air burn ban that will remain in effect until the area receives rainfall sufficient to reduce the fire risk,” said Douglas P. Stanley, County Administrator and Director of Emergency Management. “Current conditions have increased the public safety risk to our citizens and first responders. This is a precautionary measure to protect life and property in Prince Edward County.”
This Declaration of Local Emergency due to severely dry conditions is issued in accordance with Section 50-3 of the Prince Edward County Code. The declaration establishes a ban on all open-air fires and outdoor burning throughout Prince Edward County, excluding the Town of Farmville, until further notice, and places all County fire agencies on alert should emergency response be required. All burning within the Town of Farmville requires a Town permit.
The ban on open-air fires and outdoor burning applies to all public and private property. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Burning associated with construction, earthmoving, and demolition operations;
- Burning associated with agricultural and silvicultural activities;
- Home burn barrels, fire pits, and similar devices;
- Campfires on public and private property;
- Use of fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices; and
- All other open-air and outdoor fires.
The burn ban will remain in effect until Prince Edward County receives adequate precipitation to reduce the fire danger.
Any questions please contact Farmville-Prince Edward Emergency Communications Center at 434-392-3332.
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