| Warm, dry weather has caused the wildfire danger in West Virginia to reach very high levels.
The Division of Forestry has asked various agencies across the State to raise "Wildfire Danger" flags in an effort to warn residents of the dangers of outdoor burning.
The red flags will be flown at the Office of Emergency Services, county courthouses, State Forests and State Parks, and local Division of Forestry offices. The flags will be flown until the State receives measurable rainfall, at least an inch or more, and the fire danger has lessened.
Although this is not a ban on outdoor burning, residents are encouraged to refrain from conducting any outdoor burning until conditions improve.
Conditions such as high winds, low relative humidity, warm weather, and periods of little or no rainfall greatly contribute to fire danger.
Since January 1, more than 270 wildfires have been reported across the State. Most of the fires that have occurred so far this year are the result of escaped debris burns. Outdoor burning restrictions
are in effect through May 31.
Until then all outdoor burning is prohibited until after 4 p.m., and all fires must be extinguished by 7 a.m. Only vegetative materials such as limbs, leaves, and brush may be burned.
A 10-foot area must be cleared around anything being burned, and all fires must be attended until completely extinguished.
This is the first time the Division of Forestry has implemented the "Wildfire Danger" flag program. Forestry officials will continue to monitor the fire danger levels and notify the participating agencies when the danger passes and the flags can be lowered.
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