Drought conditions raise concerns about brush fires in West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle

FARMINGTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — Despite some rain over the weekend, drought conditions continue to plague the state of West Virginia.

And with those conditions comes an elevated concern about brush fires. But does the fire danger extend into the northern panhandle?

The Region 1 Forestry Headquarters in Marion County covers the Northern Panhandle. While the signs say the fire danger is moderate, regional Forester Rudy Williams is on alert.

The woods right now are tinder-dry, so it’s all due to the drought. I’ve never seen this period, especially in the summer where we haven’t had any precipitation and all from what I’m hearing, we don’t have any in the foreseeable future as well. It’s scary.”

Rudy Williams, West Virginia Region 1 Forester

Last week, fires burned and spread quickly in Kanawha County, one of many West Virginia counties that had to enact a burning ban.

Just because you’re not in an area with a large state forest doesn’t make you immune. Most fires start on private property and farmland.

I’ve been here 42 years and it’s the worst I’ve ever seen. The worst fire seasons I’ve ever experienced were in 87 and 91 and the summers before those fire seasons there was far less drought. So this is the worst I’ve seen.”

Rudy

The fall burning season in West Virginia doesn’t start until October 1. That’s when outdoor burning between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. is prohibited. As of today, there’s no statewide burning band in effect.

Until then, state officials ask that you refrain from outdoor burning.

But if you do, burn only leaves, brush, and yard clippings.

Make sure you have a ten-foot safety strip around your burn pile.

And don’t leave a fire unattended until it’s completely extinguished.

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