Gov. Tim Kaine's office lifted the statewide ban on open burning yesterday after widespread drought conditions were mitigated by rainfall throughout the Commonwealth.
The ban was issued Oct. 19 in response to the drought that prompted concerns for fire safety.
"There was an increase in danger due to the drought and concern that any fires would spread and cause significant damage," said James Barber, assistant chief of the Albemarle County Fire Department.
The Governor's Office considered the ban successful at preventing widespread fires throughout the ban's duration.
"The statewide ban on open burning helped reduce the immediate threat to citizens and their property," Kaine noted in a press release issued yesterday. "Without the ban, and a couple of unpredicted rain events that provided some much-needed moisture, we could have had as many as 1,500 wildfires during the six-week fall fire season. Instead, we've had 118 fires that burned a total of 855 acres."
Of the 118 fires, at least 18 were caused by individuals who violated the ban.
"We've had some violations," Barber said. "Mostly [by] folks who were unaware of the ban or had a misconception because of the rainfall we had."
Violations constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor and in addition to fines, those who allow a fire to escape are liable for the potentially significant costs of suppressing that fire. According to the Governor's Office, the Virginia Department of Forestry has spent upwards of $580,000 fighting wildfires so far this year.
The danger season for wildfires lasts from mid-autumn to mid-spring, according to Barber. An annual burn ban starts every Feb. 15 for the worst part of the season.
Peter Carpenter, battalion chief for the Charlottesville Fire Department, said the city, unlike the county, "doesn't allow burning at anytime. Period."
Carpenter cited the city's population density and increased risk of a fire spreading as the main reasons for the permanent ban. Carpenter also said outdoor fires can annoy others in the community.
"Smoke caused by burning can be a nuisance for neighbors," Carpenter said.
Although the burn ban has been lifted, forestry officials warned that the threat of wildfire is not gone.
"As the leaves fall and dry, windy weather conditions continue, our wildfire risk will increase," State Forester Carl E. Garrison, III stated in the governor's press release.
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