Officials speak about dry conditions and warn against burning after fires in Virginia

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Officials are weighing in on the current dry conditions that have all of Virginia under either a drought watch or warning that’s been in effect since Monday, June 24. That means Central Virginia is also experiencing an increasing danger of fires.

Henrico County has seen multiple fires over the last two days. On Tuesday, June 25 , Henrico saw three small brush fires, not including the larger one from the day before . Officials fear the area will continue to see more of the same in the coming days.

Fire crews in Henrico left the scene around 7 p.m. on Tuesday after putting out one of several brush fires they county has seen with no relief in sight.

“Weather changes on a day-to-day basis. So how long is this drought going to take? I have no idea,” said Michael Downey, with the Virginia Department of Forestry.

Downey says even though the area is out of fire season, that doesn’t mean we are out of the woods when it comes to these blazes breaking out.

“Like you saw in Henrico County last night,” Downey said. “Drier vegetation, dry grass that can easily burn now as it does in the in our spring fire season. So, we’re definitely seeing that we don’t just have a spring and a fall fire season.”

On Monday, June 24, a large brush fire burned a field near New Market and Messer Road, close to Varina High school. A total of 70 acres were scorched and several homes were damaged in the fire as well.

“It was big enough to destroy everything around here,” said James Jefferies, who lives nearby to where Monday’s fire broke out.

Jefferies says that even though he was lucky enough to not be affected by the flames, they are still a concern.

Investigators say that the cause of Monday’s fire was the result of embers from a controlled burn sparking debris nearby. Officials say it’s important to stop the outdoor burning now.

“But if it [the fire] catches, it catches all of this,” Jefferies said. “And that’s the concern for everybody around here. And it’s dry. It’s just dry. You know, it’s catch on like a match. But, you know, I just feel for the people around and hope that nobody gets hurt.”

The causes of the small fires that broke out on Wednesday have not been determined.

“We can do our best to just keep people informed on these red flag days until again, we get a really good rainfall to soak up everything again. It’s just been hot days hot dry days and no rain. And so, until that rain comes. Again. I very strongly suggest. Just no burning,” Downey said.

Downey goes on to say that about 80% of the fires that happen on the east coast are caused by humans.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRIC ABC 8News.