Fire bans issued ahead of windier conditions
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Both Roanoke County and Roanoke City are banning all open-air burning for at least the next several days.
That will last until Saturday in the city and through Thursday night in the County. Both include recreational burns like small campfires which are usually exempt.
“So, I think you can see how serious officials here are taking that,” said Brian Clingenpeel, community outreach coordinator with Roanoke County Fire and Rescue Department.
He says high winds and dry grounds are making this a particularly chaotic week in the Roanoke Valley fire season. Since Sunday, March 17, crews have fought two brush fires in the county.
National Weather Service issues ‘Red Flag Warning’ for Southwest & Central Virginia
“We’re really concerned about wind conditions coming up the next couple of days and enhanced fire danger weather,” said Clingenpeel.
Dennis McCarthy with the Virginia Department of Forestry is fighting the Coal Road fire in Botetourt County, where local and federal crews are also assisting.
“Any spark or opportunity for flame will lead to a fire potentially so that’s why everybody needs to take a lot of precaution during this dry warm and particularly windy weather,” he said.
Even when those burn bans end, burning is only allowed after 4 p.m. during fire season.
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