| A near-total ban on outdoor burning begins Saturday evening in West Virginia.
Since April 1, the number of fires has increased from 108 to 283. The number of burned acres has escalated from 773 to almost 8,500.
Gov. Joe Manchin has issued the ban because the number of fires has almost tripled in the Mountain State.
The proclamation will be in effect until the governor rescinds the order.
The ban includes fires built for camping, the burning of debris or for warming purposes.
The following items are excluded from the
restrictions:
*Fires for the purpose of chemical production, where fire is
essential to operation.
*Fires for commercial land-clearing, such as mining, highway
construction, and development, provided that a permit is obtained from the Division of Forestry prior to burning.
*Training fires conducted under the direct control and
supervision of qualified instructors at a training facility operated by a fire department or government entity, provided that a permit for such training fires is obtained from the Division of Forestry prior to burning.
*Fires for outdoor cooking conducted for fund raising events and
charitable organizations, provided that a water source capable of extinguishing the fire must be present and a permit is obtained from the Division of Forestry prior to the operation.
*Grills, lanterns or liquid-fueled gas fire stoves.
Warm, dry weather and windy conditions, plus an abundance of vegetative material like downed trees, limbs and leaves have fueled the problem.
For more information about forest fires in West Virginia, visit the Division of Forestry's Web site at www.wvforestry.com
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