By Stephen Smoot
Earlier this month, Governor Jim Justice issued a burn ban that was rescinded last week.
In a statement issued on Nov 4, Governor Justice stated that it “is necessary due to the continuation of dry weather conditions and low water levels.” It went on to state that the ban “will be in effect until circumstances improve and the Governor rescinds the order by further proclamation.”
A week later, the US Forest Service issued a “forest wide fire restriction” that stated “building, maintaining, attending, or using a wood or charcoal fire or campfire is prohibited on all National Forest lands, roads, and trails” within the Monongahela National Forest.
They passed the ban “to protect public health and safety . . . during periods of high fire danger.”
Last week, the US Forest Service lifted the ban on all previously prohibited activities and Governor Justice issued a new proclamation. A statement from the Governor’s Office said “this comes after the state received significant rainfall over the past several days and at the request of the Division of Forestry.”
Governor Justice warned, however, that “we must remain cautious and follow the standard fall burning regulations. If dry conditions and fire risks increase, we will not hesitate to reinstate the burn ban. I’m incredibly thankful for the rain we’ve received recently – our beautiful forests are too precious to risk losing to fire.”
Throughout West Virginia, the standard fall burning season regulations remain in effect. This includes a time limit between 5 PM and 7 AM on “burning forestland, grass, grain stubble, slash, debris, or other materials.”
Over the past two weeks, much of Southern West Virginia fell from official drought status to “D0 Abnormally Dry.” Much of northern West Virginia remains under “D2 Severe Drought” or “D3 Extreme Drought” status, but those central and Ohio River Valley counties that were under the worst category, “D4 Exceptional Drought”, no longer are.
Outside of areas around and north of Old Fields, which remain in D2, all of Hardy County has dropped to “D1 Moderate Drought” status. Streamflow of the South Branch River is “much below” normal while the North Fork is categorized under the driest category of “low.”
Drought conditions, despite the current waves of precipitation, are expected at this time to persist through the season.
