Country Life

Why Daytime Burn Bans Make Sense during the Brown Season

Virginia and Ohio have various state laws that ban outdoor burning and fires during the day time Brown Season which usually is like sometime between October and May depending on the state. This actually makes a lot of sense from a weather related perspective.

• At night as the temperature drops, usually the dew point drops far less if at all. The effect is the relative humidity increases, which often leaves frost in cold weather and dew on the warm weather. Things are generally damper at night, less risk of fire spread.
• At the same time when the sun goes down, the breeze often slackens of not becomes completely calm. Especially in the spring, much of the breeze is caused by strong sun angle during the day which heats the air, stirring up air currents.
• A fire that spreads at night is likely quickly spotted and extinguished. Flames are much more visible at night. Likewise fire brands from burning paper garbage or even sparks from wood are much more visible at night and steps can be taken to minimize them and quickly put out anything they ignite.
• People who are burning things are much more likely to be home and watching their fires at night. It’s much more risky, especially in fire weather to light off a burn barrel before work then drive off to work while the trash is still smoldering, potentially allowing it to set grass on fire. A night time fire is much more likely to be observed until its out cold.