VA Spring Fire Season arrives

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) announces the start of spring fire season and reminds residents that the state’s annual 4 p.m. burning law takes effect February 15th through April 30th.

The law prohibits outdoor burning between midnight and 4 p.m. within 300 feet of woods or dry grass.

Violations are a Class 3 misdemeanor and can carry fines up to $500.

Violators can also be responsible for liability of damages if a fire escapes.

The law does not apply to charcoal or gas-fired barbecue grills.

To learn more about Virginia’s 4 p.m. burning law, visit DOF’s website.

Officials say despite recent winter storms, dry conditions have already led to dozens of wildfires this year.

Residents are urged to follow safety precautions, check for local burn bans, and call 911 immediately if a fire gets out of control.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Fall fire season in Virginia

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

The Virginia Department of Forestry is urging you to use extreme caution now through November 30th.

Nine out of ten wildfires are started by people, and escaped yard debris burning is the number one cause.

It only takes dry leaves and a little wind for a small fire to become a disaster.

If you are burning, or using a campfire, never leave it unattended, and check your local government for any burn bans before you light up.

Protect your home and your community. Fall Fire Season is here

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here

Major shift in federal forest land use policy

News to know valley graphic created by Royal Broadcasting employee Brooke Greene used by permission

In a major shift in federal forest policy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is preparing to roll back the 2001 Roadless Rule.

Virginia stands to be significantly impacted.

The state has more inventoried roadless areas than any other with 394,000 acres that would become accessible for development if the rule is rescinded.

Altogether, Virginia is home to more than 1.6 million acres of national forest.

The Roadless Rule, enacted nearly 25 years ago, restricts road construction and timber harvesting in some of the country’s most remote forest lands.

According to the USDA, the rule currently limits road development on about 30 percent of lands within the National Forest System.

The Trump Administration argues that the rule has stood in the way of effective forest management, including efforts to reduce wildfire risks.

Supporters of the rollback say the restrictions have hindered industries like logging and contributed to mill closures across the country.

Industry advocates claim that the lack of access has worsened wildfire risks by preventing proper forest thinning and fuel reduction.

However, environmental groups warn that rescinding the rule threatens clean water, wildlife habitats, and old-growth forests.

More than 500 miles of streams and rivers, in Virginia alone, are primarily protected under the rule.

While the rollback would lift federal protections, it would not immediately greenlight development.

Any new projects would still have to undergo formal application and environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Legal challenges are also expected.

Previous attempts to undo the rule, including under the Bush Administration, were tied up in court.

Undoing the protections will require a formal rulemaking process and could face strong public opposition.

Beyond logging, industries like oil and gas, hydropower, and mining could also benefit if the rule is rescinded.

But many conservation groups insist that the public overwhelmingly supports keeping these lands undeveloped, regardless of political affiliation or location.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Weatherwise, March 2025

We’ll update the drought situation in the Shenandoah Valley, we’ll look at a couple of early Spring forecasts for our area, we’ll discuss FEMA and the “Waffle House index” and we’ll ask how many of you have ever heard of a gasoline plant (Hint: you may some in your yard).

Virginia’s spring fire season has arrived

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

The Virginia Department of Forestry joins fire departments across the Commonwealth to announce the start of the spring fire season.

The statewide burning law prohibits outdoor burning between midnight and 4 pm from February 15th through April 30th.

This time of year is prone to wildfires due to the weather conditions and abundant sources of fuel like dead vegetation and leaves.

Violation of the burning law is a class 3 misdemeanor and punishable with a fine of up to $500 as well as costs associated with fire suppression and property damage.

The law applies to outdoor burning within 300 feet of woods or grass including campfires, and open air charcoal grills like those found in a park.

This does not apply to personal charcoal or gas fired barbecue grills.

Virginia experiences approximately 700 wildfires per year and has already lost over 500 acres this year.

The Department of Forestry asked residents to keep in mind:

  • The 4 p.m. burn law applies to any fires not contained within a fireproof device (e.g., campfires, brush piles, bonfires, warming fires, etc.)
  • Burning is allowed between 4 p.m. and midnight if proper precautions are taken
  • No fire may be started, and no fuels can be added to a fire after midnight
  • Avoid burning during dry and windy conditions
  • Fires should never be left unattended
  • Have a shovel, rake and a charged hose on hand for controlling the fire
  • Call 911 immediately if a fire escapes your control

For more information on burning law, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Request for a state of emergency in Page county

page county election coverage

The Page County Board of Supervisors have requested that Governor Youngkin declare a state of emergency for the county to utilize state resources in battling the wildfires.

Keith Weakley, Chairman, stated that, “our local agencies are exhausted both mentally and physically, we have a dire situation”.

Over 3400 acres have burned in Page County thus far and are only about 10% contained.

On March 20th, several wildfires started in Page County and spread quickly due to the high winds.

As a result, a local emergency due to the immediate threat to life and property.

Local Fire and EMS workers have been working on these wildfires with other locales and the Department of Forestry.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Wildfires update

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) and Virginia firefighters have responded to over 100 wildfires within the last 48 hours.

While several fires in the region, including the Yeawood Fire in Culpeper have been contained.

The Coal Mine Fire in Shenandoah County is approximately 80% contained as of Friday evening.

Thankfully rain has began to fall in the area.

As fires become under control, crews are reallocated to wildfires in Page, Rockingham, and Shenandoah Counties.

Additionally, Federal, State, and local resources are aiding in the efforts to protect lives and property.

In Page County, several fires including the 211 West Fire will be combined into one incident named the “Luray Complex,” under a partnership between the Southern Area Gold Incident Management Team, the USDA Forest Service and DOF.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Virginia’s spring burning regulations begin

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) joins fire departments across the state to announce the beginning of the spring fire season and raise awareness for the 4 pm Burning Law that is now in effect through April 30th.

The statewide burning law prohibits outdoor burning before 4 pm within 300 feet of woods or dry grass.

Violation of the burning law is a Class-3 misdemeanor punishable with fines up to $500.

Those who allow a fire that results in property damage can be liable for suppression costs.

Between Virginia’s fall and spring fire seasons, the spring season accounts for more than 60% of fires in the Commonwealth with an average of 700 fires.

The rising temperatures, dry and windy weather, and abundant fuel from dead vegetation and leaves increase the potential for wildfires and make them difficult to extinguish.

The Virginia Department of Forestry wants to remind citizens to never leave a fire unattended, keep a shovel, rake or hose close by to control a fire, and avoid burning in windy conditions or adding fuel after midnight.

Individual cities or counties may have specific burn laws to keep in mind.

For more information on the 4 pm Burning Law, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Virginia’s fall fire season ends

During this year’s fall fire season, which ran from October 15th to November 30th, the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) responded to 156 wildfires that burned nearly 25,000 acres and damaged 13 structures.

Suppression efforts by DOF and the agency’s firefighting partners are
credited with saving 224 homes and 268 other structures, with an estimated protected value of $46.8 million.

In comparison to the 89 wildfires that burned 2,654 acres in the 2022 fall fire season.

Drought conditions combined with seasonal factors such as low humidity, high winds and dry vegetation, allow wildfires to start easily, spread quickly and be difficult to contain.

Although the fall fire season has ended, the threat of wildfire is always present, as many parts of Virginia are still in a drought conditions.

Residents should: Delay outdoor burning until your area receives heavy precipitation, check for local fire restrictions, call 911 if a fire escapes your control or if you see a wildfire, and remember “Only you can prevent wildfires!

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Royal Orchard fire update

photo credit Scott Bradley Hesson with permission

Thursday evening a new fire was reported in the Rockfish Gap/Afton area due to a vehicle fire near Interstate 64.

The crews from the Quaker Run wildfire were diverted to assist with the Royal Orchard Fire.

Shenandoah National Park is reporting that Skyline Drive is closed from Rockfish Gap to Lofton Mountain and the Appalachian Trail is closed from Rockfish Gap to Jarman Gap.

Currently the wildfire is at 20 acres, with significant progress in the building of fire lines.

The smoke we are experiencing, especially on the east side of the mountains, is the compiling of wildfires across the state.

Refer to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to track conditions.

As a reminder, those with respiratory issues, children, and pregnant women should be particularly cautious.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.