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 U.S. 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 accepted activities.
Despite the deluge of tropical system driven rains, most of West Virginia remains in some level of drought conditions. The ridges and mountains north and west of Seneca Rocks remain in conditions described on Drought.gov as “D2 severe drought.”
Areas surrounding Brandywine, Sugar Grove, and areas south are currently outside of the drought afflicted area and described as “D0 abnormally dry.” The rest of Pendleton County remains in an area described as experiencing “D1 moderate drought.”
The county is expected to see a half an inch or less of rain during the next week while indicators point to the drought persisting for approximately 80 percent of the county. Only the 14th wettest September on record has alleviated the extremely serious conditions seen last summer.
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 Nov. 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 forestry division, and fires for outdoor cooking for charitable events, but a water source for dousing must be on hand.
Liquid fueled gas grills or liquid fueled gas stoves are approved for use as well.
Justice issued this order by proclamation.
