Forest Fires in Virginia and North Carolina

26 November 1998


Virginia Department of Forestry
Sit Report 26 November, 1998 10:28 AM
http://state.vipnet.org/dof/sit112698.htm

" The total number of fires since January 1 is 1071 fires for 4353 acres (1762 ha). There was a lot of fire activity on Wednesday but the fires were contained while they were still small.

 The Charlottesville area received .25 inches (6 mm) of rain and the Abingdon Region received .35 inches  (9 mm). Reports indicate that part of the Charlottesville Region mayhave received up to .4 inches (10 mm)of rain.

The Stony Lick Fire is reported to be 1530 acres (619 ha) and about 50% contained. 450 firefighters are currently working on the fire. The National Forest had three more small fires yesterday.

They estimate full containment of the fire by 30 November. All DOF firefighters were released yesterday, as agreed. The new federal team is continuing the same fire suppression tactics set up by the DOF Incident Commander Richard Thomas.

Despite the rain shower, fire danger remains high.

 click to enlarge (300 KB)

Fig.1. NOAA image of the vegetation fires in Virginia and North Carolina, 24 November 1998
(Source: NOAA http://www.osei.noaa.gov/)

GOVERNOR GILMORE CALLS  FOR BAN ON OPEN BURNING
http://state.vipnet.org/dof/burnban.htm

RICHMOND - Governor Jim Gilmore today issued a proclamation announcing a statewide ban on all open burning effective Friday, 30 October 1998.

"Today I am announcing a statewide ban on open burning making it unlawful for any person to engage in or cause open burning at any location which is closer than 300 feet ( 90 m) to forest lands, brush lands or fields containing dry grasses or other flammable material", Governor Gilmore said.

"The ban is being implemented in order to protect lives, property and natural resources in the affected portion of the Commonwealth that have been placed in jeopardy by the lack of significant precipitation over the last 60 days and the unusually warm temperatures and fresh leaf fall. Significant fire activity in adjoining states and several fires across the Commonwealth have indicated the seriousness of the present hazards."

The leading cause of forest fires in Virginia is debris burning. In addition to the drought, fresh leaf fall will occur in the next few days providing additional dry fuel to the forest floor. Fresh leaf fall also increases outdoor burning. "The implementation of a burning ban at this time would reduce the chances of forest fires occurring as a result of debris burning", State Forester James W. Garner said.

Section 10.1-1158 of the Code of Virginia allows the Governor to prohibit all open burning where serious fire hazard endangers lives and property. Secretary of Commerce and Trade Barry E. DuVal has instructed the State Forester to fully implement the forest fire readiness plan and to fulfill the duties mandated in Title 10.1 of the Code in the enforcement of the ban. If a sustained period of fire activity takes place, the Air National Guard, the Department of Emergency Services, and the Department of State Police will assist the State Forester.

The burning ban would remain in effect until forest conditions have improved. The burning ban was last placed in effect in the fall of 1994.

CONTINUED BAN ON OPEN BURNING
http://state.vipnet.org/dof/contban.htm

State Forester James W. Garner has recommended that the statewide ban on all open burning be continued until such time as significant rain has blanketed the Commonwealth. The period from midsummer through October has been one of the driest in recorded history.

"Recent rains have brought some temporary relief, however, the amounts have not been significant across most of the state. It will take several inches of rain or a series of storms to bring enough moisture to soak the forest floor" said State Forester James W. Garner.

"The number of forest fires and acreage lost has significantly dropped since the ban on open burning was implemented" said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Barry E. DuVal.

The leading cause of forest fires in Virginia is debris burning. In addition to the drought, fresh leaf fall will continue to occur in the next few days providing additional dry fuel to the forest floor. Fresh leaf fall also increases outdoor burning. Section 10.1-1158 of the Code of Virginia allows the Governor, on the recommendation of the State Forester, to prohibit all open burning where serious fire hazard endangers lives and property. The burning ban will remain in effect until forest conditions have improved. Since January 922 forest fires have burned 3,853 acres  (1560 ha) in Virginia.

NATIONAL INTERAGENCY COORDINATION CENTER SITUATION REPORT
http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.html

CURRENT SITUATION IN BRIEF (from the NIFC website):
Large fire activity continued in the Southern Area. The National Interagency Coordination Center processed orders for one crew, miscellaneous overhead, two single egine airtankers and an ATMU for Virginia. High fire danger continues in Virginia and South Carolina.

SOUTHERN AREA LARGE FIRES:
STONEY LICK, George Washington & Jefferson NF's. A Type II Incident Management Team (Kearney) is assigned. The fire is 35 miles (56 km) southwest of Harrisonburg, near the town of Deerfield. Northerly, dry, breezy conditions pushed sections of the fire beyond crew capabilities.

OUTLOOK:
Increasing clouds and winds from 10 to 20 MPH  (16 km/h up to 32 km/h) are forecast for Virginia. High temperatures will be in the 50's (10 °C).


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