RICHMOND, Va (WTVR) – After a series of record forest fires this spring, the Virginia Department of Forestry has lifted a temporary burn ban as of midnight Tuesday morning.
Virginia’s spring wildfire season runs from mid-February through April. During that time, you cannot start a fire until after 4 p.m. While the ban may have expired, dry and windy conditions make it important for people to be careful if burning outdoors.
The Department of Forestry says fires scorched more than 43,000 acres across Virginia since January 1st.
Burning of leaves, yard waste or trash continues to be the major cause of wildfires in Virginia, according to according to the Virginia Department of Forestry. These “debris” fires can easily escape unless proper precaution is taken.
There are some precautions you can take for safely burning debris outdoors:
- Adhere to state and city burning laws
- When you burn, make sure you have permission from your neighbors within 300 feet
- Stay with a fire at all times
- Have a means of communication where you can call at the first sign that you need help
- Have a means there to put the fire out if you notice it getting too large
- Avoid burning on windy days
