CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Open-air burning will be permitted under normal conditions in Virginia starting Oct. 1. In accordance to standards set by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), regulations surrounding open-air burning in Virginia depend on the time of year. Here's how it works: Feb. 15 to April 30: Spring burning law is in effect, banning open-air burns before 4 p.m. and after midnight May 1 to Sept. 30: Open-air burning is prohibited entirely Oct. 1 to Feb. 14: Open-air burning is permitted under normal conditions In less than a week, Virginians can resume permitted, lawful open-air burns under normal conditions. They will be able to do so until Feb. 14, 2025. "Open burning/permitted burning does not excuse you from consequences associated with damages or injuries," said Chesterfield County Fire & EMS on its page on open burning and other permits. For Chesterfield residents, an open burn permit application can be filed online. A resident can obtain a permit for bonfires, land-clearing/property maintenance and tree/garden trimmings. Further details on restrictions, fees and special permissions can be found online. "Fires shall be constantly attended by a competent person until extinguished and no longer smoldering," Chesterfield fire officials said, referring to all open-air burns. "The attendee shall provide adequate fire extinguishing equipment to control and or extinguish the fire should it start to spread." Open-air burns like campfires, warming fires, fire pits and burn barrels don't require a permit in Chesterfield -- as long as the person doing the burning follows these requirements: The pile must be 25 feet or more away from any structure or combustible materials The pile must not be larger than 3 feet wide, 2 feet tall and 3 feet deep. The pile must only contain clean wood or firewood to be used as fuel. Leaf burning has its own regulations in Chesterfield. If you are in a permitted part of the county, you can burn leaves on your own property twice a year: March 15 - April 15: Mondays through Thursdays, from 4 p.m. to midnight Nov. 15 - Dec. 15: Mondays at 8 a.m. through Fridays at noon Finally, Chesterfield officials state that the following materials cannot be included in an open burn: Building and/or demolition material Household/commercial trash or refuse Paper, used lumber or trade waste Rubber tires, asphaltic material, crankcase oil, impregnated wood or similar materials Toxic or hazardous materials or containers for such materials For more information on open-air burning laws in Chesterfield, visit the county's website.