BRUSH BURNING INFORMATION

Brush burning permit applications may be obtained through the Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office (phone number 540-561-8100) in accordance to the Statewide Fire Prevention Code and Roanoke County Ordinance.

• Application - Apply 10 days in advance of burn.
  
  
• Fee – There is no current fee requirement for this permit.
  
  
• Inspection – All burn sites will be inspected by a member of the Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office to verify code compliance. The inspector will issue the permit if criteria are met.

Guidelines for burning:

• Burning must be at least 500 feet from any occupied building, unless the occupants/owners have given written permission prior to the burning.
  
  
• Burning must be at least 50 feet from any structure under any condition.
  
  
• The fire must be attended at all times.
  
  
• A ready means to control and suppress the fire must be available at the burn site.
  
  
• Burning shall not be conducted during windy conditions.
  
  
• Waste material, construction debris, and garbage cannot be burned under any condition.

Both the Roanoke County and Vinton Dispatch Centers must be notified prior to each day's burn with a permit number at 540-561-8036 and 540-983-0617. Permits usually last for a period of 30 days.

Important:

Burning will not be allowed during certain times of the year or under certain weather conditions. The State of Virginia has a Statewide Burn Law in effect each year from February 15^th until April 30^th. The Roanoke County Fire Marshal has the authority to suspend burning at anytime when severely dry weather conditions pose a hazard. Please call our office at 540-561-8100 for additional information in this matter.

• Why is flow-testing fire hydrants so important?
  Flow testing of fire hydrants is done to identify the amount of water a certain fire hydrant can deliver during an emergency situation. This service is done on an annual basis so that problems can be identified and resolved. All the hydrants are color coded so that the Fire Department personnel can identify how many gallons per minute (GPM) that an individual fire hydrant can flow.



• Why is my water discolored?
  Due to fire hydrant flow testing, citizens of the Town of Vinton and East Roanoke County could experience a temporary water discoloration. This is due to the unsettling of mineral deposits in the water main.



• What should I do about the discolored water?
  Run the cold water for about five to ten minutes. This should clear up the water.



• I was washing clothes and they have been discolored because of the mineral deposits and rust. What should I do?
  You can contact Vinton Public Works at 540-983-0646, and they can give you a solvent that can help remove the stains from your wash.



• Is the water safe to drink?
  Yes.



• Who do I contact if I have any other questions or would like more information about flow testing?
  Please feel free to contact either the Vinton Fire Department at 540-983-0629 or Vinton Public Works at 540-983-0646.

"SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES"

Be sure to keep your smoke alarms working properly:

• Test your smoke alarms at least once a month, following the manufacturer's instructions.
• Replace the batteries in your smoke alarm once a year, or as soon as the alarm "chirps," warning that the battery is low. HINT: Schedule battery replacements for the same day you change your clock back from daylight savings time to standard time in the fall.
• Never "borrow" a battery from a smoke alarm. Smoke alarms can't warn you of fire if their batteries are missing or have been disconnected.
• Never disable smoke alarms – even temporarily – you may forget to replace the battery.
• Regularly vacuum or dust your smoke alarms following manufacturer's instructions to help keep it working properly.
• Replace your smoke alarms once every 10 years. Smoke alarms don't last forever.
• Make sure that everyone in your home can hear and recognize the sound of the alarm and knows how to react to it immediately.