By Stephen Smoot
Last week, a wildfire broke out along the border of Hampshire County and Frederick County Virginia. It started in remote country, but within three miles of the Capon Springs Resort and also US 48.
One day later, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the West Virginia Eastern Panhandle between Mineral and Jefferson counties, excluding areas south of Hampshire County.
Due to the persistence of varying levels of drought statewide, Governor Jim Justice issued an outdoor burning ban for all 55 counties, with a short list of excepted activities.
Hardy County, along with most of the South Branch Valley watershed, remains in what the federal government considers “D1 Moderate Drought” conditions. This could lead to, according to the National Weather Service “some damage to crops, pastures, fire risk high; streams wells or reservoirs low, some water shortage developing or imminent.”
The northwestern corner around Old Fields, Purgitsville, and points north and west, continue to experience the “D2 Severe Drought” status. This category warns “fire risk very high, water shortages common.”
The southernmost tip of the county is considered “D0 Abnormally Dry,” which means that it is not yet seeing drought conditions.
Though the drought is expected to persist through at least the next month, it should end as the seasons change, according to drought.gov
Despite the deluge of tropical system driven rains around teh state over the past several weeks,, most of West Virginia remains in some level of drought conditions.
In an area of the state north of the coalfields and west of the Allegheny Front, conditions range from D2 severe drought to the highest and most serious condition, which is D4 exceptional drought. The D4 counties follow US 33 and include Jackson, Roane, Calhoun, Braxton, and the northwestern tip of Webster.
The outdoor burning ban went into effect statewide, regardless of drought condition, on November 4. This includes campfires, burning debris, or warming.
Exceptions include: fire essential for production of chemicals, fire for commercial land-clearing that has been given a permit by the Division of Forestry, “training fires” used for instruction by government or fire departments and given a permit by DoF, fires for outdoor cooking for charitable events, but a water source for dousing must be on hand.
Liquid fueled gas grills or liquid filled gas stoves are approved for use as well.
Governor Justice issued this order by proclamation.
