Winter -ice storm could lead to further problems during the spring season

Richmond, Va. (WwBt) – Ruber burns is the main cause of Virginia for forest fires.

Our traditional spring season in Virginia takes place in February, March and April.

In order to reduce this number in spring, a burning law was set at 4 p.m.

“First of all, this is because the leaves are not yet on the trees, so there is no shadow in the forests,” said Richard Reuse, Area Forester for Chesterfield County. “The sun can dry things out quite a bit, and we often get really strong wind days.”

This burning ban became in force on February 15 and continues until the end of April.

“It is illegal to have outdoor fires if they are forest and dry grass within 300 feet,” said reuse. After 4 p.m. the relative humidity usually appears and usually winds down and it is a little safer to burn. And then people can burn this time of year legally as long as they stay with the fire and bring it out when they are done. “

Some places have even more restrictive regulations for burning outdoors than the burning law of the state. So ask local officials about burning regulations or restrictions before burning outdoors.

In the following you will find the important outlook on the Wildland fire potential for March from the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. Virginia is in the “normal” category. The conditions highlighted in red are “above the normal” for the fire potential.

Here is the fire potential view for the month of April:

Virginia is back in the “normal” category. Reuse says that if you want to burn outdoors outdoors, do so after a considerable precipitation.

Make sure to draw the first warning team when and when a red flag warning is issued. This warning usually comes when the conditions for fast fires are ripe.

“Don't burn on windy days. Do not burn with low loyalty on days. And with a low humidity I mean 30% and lower, ”said reuse. “If you see 30% or lower in the news moisture, don't even think about having a fire outside.”

Numerous branches came from the ice storm in February, which can lead to more problems during the fire season.

“It makes it difficult for us to access a brush fire that appears. The same applies to the fire brigade, ”said reuse. “To make it difficult to access with your brush cars. Pulling your hoses through the forest makes it difficult. And then all of these branches that collapsed in the forest is only increased fuel and lets the fires burn more active. “

He says one of her greatest concerns is Virginia's Pine plantations because they burn more intensely.

“You have many oils. That is what we are worried about in the east and central virginia, ”said reuse. The western part of the state, not as much pine, but they have these steep slopes. So the fire there quickly get big. “

Reuse says that responsibility when burning is of crucial importance. Make sure you delete thoroughly in the outer fire when you leave you.

“If a fire burns out of a rubble or something a person has done, it is responsible for the costs for us to put this fire,” he said. “If you cause a neighbor's property, you could sue the neighbor for damage. And you will also get a fine from us for a escaped fire. All reasons, two other reasons, to be careful with outdoor fires. “

Even if a person takes all proper precautionary measures and complies with the approvals required on site, the fire is responsible for the suppression costs if the fire should escape. Violation of the incineration law at 4 p.m. is a class 3's offense with a fine of no more than 500 US dollars.

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