Washington Co., Va. issues ban on open-air burning, declares local emergency

Abingdon, VA. (WJHL)—Washington County, Virginia, has declared a local emergency and banned open-air burning due to fire hazard conditions, according to a release from the county.

The ban is effective immediately and will last until further notice. The ban applies to all public and private properties.

“This DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY DUE TO DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS in accordance with Section 44-146.21 and 15.2-922.1 of the Code of Virginia and hereby establishes a ban on open-air burning for the County of Washington until further notice and putting on alert the response and recovery programs of all applicable local and inter-jurisdictional emergency operations plans should activation be warranted,” the release said.

As the county continues to endure dry and warm weather, the Washington County Department of Emergency Management wants to remind the community that it is each individual’s responsibility to help prevent fires that destroy homes, humans and wildlife.

For more information, contact Theresa Kingsley-Varble, emergency management coordinator, at 276-525-1330.

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