Southwest Virginia Experiencing High Number of Wildland Fires;
Norfolk Southern Corp. Causing Several Fires While Grinding Rails

Wildland fires have broken out all across the 13-county Abingdon region in far Southwest Virginia. High winds and low humidity have made conditions ripe for explosive growth of wildland fires.

“Just yesterday, Gov. Tim Kaine drew attention to the fire danger in Virginia at a news conference he held in Richmond,” said John Miller, VDOF’s director of resource protection. “And today we have more fires in Southwest Virginia than we have people to fight them. To make matters worse, Norfolk Southern is conducting rail grinding operations that have triggered numerous fires. The Agency is working with Norfolk Southern to halt grinding operations.”

With the fire danger so high, Miller urges everyone in Southwest Virginia to not burn trash or yard debris until conditions improve.

“People who light a fire right now are putting their lives and their property at risk,” he said. “Wait until the winds die down and the humidity level climbs before starting that fire.”

Governor Kaine reminded all Virginians that the 4 p.m. Burn Law is in place now until April 30. This means that people are not allowed to burn before 4 p.m. each day.

The Governor said, “Even after 4 p.m., if the weather conditions aren’t right you shouldn’t burn. Better to be safe than sorry.”

Virginia’s 4 p.m. Burning Law was established in the 1940s to prohibit open-air burning in or within 300 feet of woodland, brushland or fields containing dry grass or other flammable materials before 4 p.m. each day from Feb. 15 through April 30. The law also states that no additional fuel may be added to a fire after midnight. A violation of the law is a Class 3 misdemeanor that carries up to a $500 fine. If the fire escapes, the responsible person is also liable for the costs of suppressing the fire.

“The 4 p.m. Burning Law is one of the most effective tools we have in the prevention of wildland fires,” said Governor Kaine. “Last year, more than 36 percent (462 of the 1,267) of the wildland fires in Virginia last year were caused by people burning trash or yard debris. In addition to burning nearly 14,000 acres, wildland fires in Virginia in 2006 destroyed or damaged 14 homes and 48 other structures. Total losses exceeded $11 Million. Without the 4 p.m. Burning Law, the devastating effects of wildland fire would have been far worse.”

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Note: The Virginia Department of Forestry will have several pieces of fire fighting equipment and vehicles on hand for the Governor’s meeting with Smokey Bear.