An ongoing drought in central and western Virginia has prompted a burn ban in the city of Waynesboro.
The ban was instituted at 5 p.m. last Monday, and the city said it will remain in effect until further notice.
All outdoor cooking that uses an open flame as well as fires in portable outdoor fireplaces are prohibited. The city did note, however, that charcoal and gas grills are exempt.
Open burning in the city typically requires a permit from the Waynesboro Fire Department.
"At this time, there are no active permits issued within the City of Waynesboro," the fire department said in a statement.
The public also is urged to properly dispose of cigarette butts and other flammable items, use caution with spark-producing equipment, and keep vehicles off dry grass.
Almost all of Virginia from the Richmond suburbs west into the Shenandoah Valley is in a drought, with the most severe conditions being found along the state’s mountainous spine and central and Northern Virginia.
The National Weather Service this past week warned of 10-hour fuel moisture of roughly 10%, indicating that dead widland fuels, specifically small twigs and branches, are very dry and can ignite easily. The service also warned of a relative humidity between 25% and 35% and wind gusts of 25 mph to 30 mph, with higher gusts on exposed ridges in the mountains — all unsafe conditions for open burning.
Questions regarding the burn ban may be referred to Capt. David Nichols, asssistant city fire marshal, at (540) 942-6730 or nicholsdw@ci.waynesboro.va.us.
Source: www.dailyprogress.com
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