Kanawha Valley seeing ‘increased risk for fire danger,’ NWS warns

The Kanawha Valley and other areas of West Virginia are under an "increased risk for fire danger" the National Weather Service said Monday.Photo byCaleb CookonUnsplash

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A lack of rain and dry conditions continue to affect communities throughout the Kanawha Valley, increasing the risk for wildfires, officials said Monday.

On Sept. 16, the National Weather Service in Charleston issued a special weather statement warning of an increased chance of dangerous blazes.

“Low relative humidity values, resulting from exceptionally dry weather, will impose an increased risk for fire danger this afternoon,” the statement notes.

Wind also plays a factor in Monday’s warning.

“Wind gusts out of the east-northeast up to 18 miles per hour will be possible, highest along the mountains,” weather officials said.

The latest map released by the U.S. Drought Monitor on Sept. 12 shows all Kanawha County under extreme drought conditions. Some parts of West Virginia – including areas just north of the region – are experiencing exceptional drought, according to officials. That’s the highest ranking on the service’s drought scale.

State drought conditions

The latest map released by the U.S. Drought Monitor on Sept. 12 shows all Kanawha County under extreme drought conditions.Photo byU.S. Drought Monitor

Per an August 23 extension by Gov. Jim Justice, all 55 West Virginia counties continue to fall under a state of emergency due to drought conditions. The original emergency went into effect on July 26.

The lack of rain has particularly affected the state’s agricultural sector.

“This drought continues to plague our farmers,” Justice said in a release. “Our public agencies are working hard to deliver water, as needed.”

County and municipal agencies, including fire departments, who assist “to maintain necessary irrigation and livestock water supplies in response to the extreme drought conditions” may qualify for the Emergency Drought Relief Reimbursement Grant Program, according to documents provided by state officials. An application for the grant is available on the West Virginia Grants online portal.

Local impacts

Volunteers with the Cedar Grove Fire Department respond to a recent wildfire in eastern Kanawha County.Photo byCedar Grove Volunteer Fire Department

In the Kanawha Valley, drought conditions have led to brush fires in some rural communities, including in eastern Kanawha County.

On Sunday, Sept. 15, the Cedar Grove Volunteer Fire Department posted photos of a local brush fire on social media. The department responded to the inferno, which destroyed some vegetation along a mountainous ridge, recently. The images were captioned “#GrovePride.”

On Monday, officials with the city of Nitro, on the western edge of Kanawha County, said no outdoor burning permits were being issued by the municipality’s fire department due to the ongoing drought.

“Avoid activities that cause open flames or sparks as fires can spread within these weather conditions.” Nitro officials warned in a social media post.

While representatives with the National Weather Service office in Charleston expect the dry conditions to continue in the days ahead, local communities could see a bit of relief in the form of rain showers in the near term. Forecasters predict a 50 percent chance of showers on Tuesday, but that’s unlikely to have much effect on the ongoing drought.

Michael Ramsburg is a Kanawha County communities reporter. He can be reached at ramsburgreports@gmail.com or by calling 304-370-3067.