State Forester Ends Big Stone Gap Burn Ban

State Forester Carl Garrison has rescinded the open burn ban for the town of Big Stone Gap due to improving water supply levels. The burn ban was put in place on October 17, 2005 because of the town's severe water shortage.

Construction of the Big Cherry Dam combined with a lack of rainfall led to the town's water shortage. The water level at the Big Cherry reservoir, which can hold 600 million gallons, fell to one million gallons.

Gov. Mark Warner declared a state of emergency Oct. 7, 2005 and directed state agencies to assist the town. Several agencies worked closely with the town and neighboring communities to find alternative water sources. The Virginia National Guard provided water by placing 11 large water bladders, called blivets, throughout the town. Also, a temporary water treatment plant was installed to process water from natural sources. Other nearby localities provided water as well.

The Virginia departments of Corrections, Emergency Management, Environmental Quality, Forestry, General Services, Health, Housing and Community Development, Transportation and the state Fire Marshal's Office provided additional assistance.

Virginians are reminded that the statewide 4 p.m. burn law goes into effect again Feb. 15, 2006 and will remain in effect until April 30, 2006. The law prohibits burning before 4 p.m. and after midnight within 300 feet of woodland, brushland or field containing dry grass. It is also unlawful to leave an open-air fire burning within 150 feet of woodland, brushland or field containing grass or other flammable material. Each offense is a Class 3 misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 plus the cost of fire suppression.

"Most people don't intentionally start a wildfire," said State Forester Carl Garrison. "But anytime people are burning, they need to be mindful of wind and weather conditions as well as taking special care to ensure the fire doesn't escape. Their lives and their property - along with the lives and property of their neighbors - are at risk."

The Virginia Department of Forestry protects and develops healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians. Headquartered in Charlottesville, there are Forestry staff members assigned to every county to provide service to citizens of the Commonwealth. With nearly 16 million acres of forestland and more than 248,000 Virginians employed in the forest products industry, Virginia forests provide more than $30 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth.