PLEASE DONT burn this weekend!

National Weather Service Wakefield – : Wakefield, VA

Temperatures and relative humidity values have been higher over the last few days since the Red Flag Warning that was issued on Monday, 14 February.  Over the next 24 to 36 hours, a high pressure system will hold sway and winds and temperatures will increase to approximately 70 degrees through Friday afternoon with cooler temperatures in the Southwest.  By Friday evening and early Saturday, a cold front will sweep into the region creating a fairly windy day especially across the eastern two-thirds of Virginia.  Temperatures will drop off a bit Saturday, but will remain fairly warm with most areas above 60 degrees.  Relative humidity values on Friday are expected to be lower than Thursday across most of Virginia, especially east of the Piedmont Region where values anywhere from 30 to 45% are expected.  On Saturday humidity values will decrease considerably.  Areas east of I-81 will be at or below 20% for most of the day with winds of 20 mph or higher, especially north of I-64 making Saturday the greatest risk for fire weather.  Areas of Southwest and West Central VA along and west of the Blue Ridge, i.e. west of Roanoke, will have the least risk for fire weather on Saturday with higher humidity values and weaker winds. 

Question for NWS – Is there a possibility of precipitation for Southwest VA Friday and Saturday?  Answer – No possibility.  The front that passes through will be dry.  We aren’t likely to see any precipitation until Tuesday, that being mainly for the western portion of the state.

Virginia Department of Forestry – John Miller: VDOF, Statewide Forest Fire Summation Report 

Our primary concern will be for Friday and Saturday.  One of the criteria used in determining Red Flag Warnings is the amount of fuel moisture present.  Current fuel moisture levels across the state are generally low, especially in areas of Central and Eastern VA, indicating a particularly dry winter.  VDOF has 2 helicopter contractors on call but is currently at Normal Operations for the spring fire season.

This is the 1st of 2 new posts today Wildfire Danger High

High threat for wildfires ahead

There is a high threat of wildfires over the next few days.

Weather conditions make it favorable for wildfires because of higher temperatures, sustained winds, wind gusts, and low relative humidity.

The most significant threat is from now through Saturday, as there is no rain in the forecast until Tuesday, February 22.

Burning leaves, yard waste, and trash continues to be the major cause of wildfires in Virginia.

"Keep your cigarettes in an ash tray where they belong, or better yet quit. If you are intending to have any kind of burn outside, make sure it's appropriate and with the state $ Pm Law and local restrictions.

Confused about when you can burn when the 4

 PM Law is in effect? Just remember NOT

 BEFORE 4!

The state burning ban prevents anyone from starting fires within 300 feet of woods, brush or fields containing dry grass or other flammable materials.

In addition to criminal penalties, those convicted of burning during the ban can be held liable for repaying the costs of fighting the fire.

People can burn yard debris from 4 p.m. to midnight because that's when winds tend to die down, BUT are still responsible for suppression costs and any damages should your “legal” fire escape and turn into a wildfire!.

A violation of the burning law is a Class 3 misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine. In addition, anyone who allows a fire to escape is liable for the cost of fighting the fire as well as any damage caused to other people's property.

According to the forestry department, while the risk of wildfires is heightened at this time of year by high winds and plenty of dry fuel in forests and brushlands, the risk generally eases after 4 p.m. as wind speeds decrease and humidity increases.

On average, Virginia sees 1,449 wildfires each year, burning 8,338 acres, according to the forestry department. The all-time high number of fires was 3,697 in 1941; 1930 saw the most acreage burned, 333,023 acres.

Even with the winter snows and rain most of Virginia is considered in moderate drought conditions.

Three juveniles arrested in connection with Chesterfield fire

CHESTERFIELD, Va. --

Chesterfield Police arrested three juveniles this evening in connection with a large brush fire that continues to be a threat in the southern section of the county. They were released to their parents.

Firefighters will remain on the scene of the 20-acre fire throughout the night.

The fire began about 4:30 p.m. and is located in the Qualla Road area northwest of Interstate 288 near Family Lane and Alberta Road.  Investigators believe a lighter used by the youths started the blaze.

PLEASE HELP SMOKEY  95% of all wildfires CAN be prevented and ONLY YOU CAN HELP !!

Wildfires continue, threat decreases BUT WAIT

Investigators seek leads in Blackwater brush fires
Virginia Beach fire investigators are asking for help solving a series of 15 brush fires started along Blackwater Road Tuesday evening. They did not cause any injuries or major property damage, but left blackened patches along the road and could have easily spread to nearby houses, investigators said. (Virginia Beach Fire Department)

As winds decline, so does the threat of fires across Virginia; 'A huge difference' eases pressure on firefighters as the official fire season begins in the state ...... BUT WAIT increased fire danger returns Friday/Saturday

BILL McKELWAY
Richmond Times Dispatch (Virginia)
February 16, 2011

The winds eased Tuesday across Virginia, and so did the pressure on firefighters.
"There's a huge difference between today and [Monday]," said Virginia Department of Forestry spokesman John Campbell.
In Henrico County, investigators were pulling together statistics and damage estimates from at least 12 fires, including one Monday off New Market Road on Jockey Court that burned a two-story, $184,100 home to the ground.




Fires reignited overnight in that area and forced a continued presence during the day Tuesday, according to Henrico fire spokesman Will Shumate. No new damage was reported. At least 13 people were without homes in Henrico. In Chesterfield County, a 36-acre brush fire off River Road on Tuesday severely damaged a hunt-club building and damaged all-terrain vehicles there, according to a fire department spokesman.

Feb 14th Wildfires a different kind of St. Valentines Day Massacre

The numbers from yesterdays rash of Wildfires all accross Virginia are not in yet but as soon as they are avail I will post. Below are several pictures and links to only a few of the hundreds of news stories from yesterday. Firefighters from The Virginia Department of Forestry, Paid and Volunteer Fire Departments, The USFS and others should be given a big ol THANK YOU for a job well done.

Firefighters Battle 25 Acre Brush Fire in Halifax Co.

http://www.wset.com/Global/story.asp?S=14028719

200 acres burn in Dinwiddie County

http://progress-index.com/news/200-acres-burn-in-dinwiddie-county-1.1105169#

Campbell Co. brush fire forces subdivision to evacuate

http://www2.wsls.com/news/2011/feb/14/campbell-co-brush-fire-forces-subdivision-evacuate-ar-843258/

Brush Fire in Augusta County Nearly Contained

http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/Brush_Fire_in_Augusta_County_Nearly_Contained__116205544.html

Fire Drives Out Entire Neighborhood

http://www.wset.com/Global/story.asp?S=14030034

Suffolk firefighters battle four brush fires this afternoon

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/02/suffolk-firefighters-battle-four-brush-fires-afternoon

Wildfire shuts down Danville Expressway

http://www2.godanriver.com/news/2011/feb/14/wildfire-shuts-down-danville-expressway-ar-843119/

Madison Brush Fire

http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=14026852

 

I  will also be posting many of the fires to the Google Map at

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4SUNA_enUS298US298&hl=en&tab=wl

 

Wind+Dry Fuels+ Carelessness=Wildfires, lots of them!

More than a 1/3 of Virginia's counties have reported wildfires today and by the morning those numbers may be higher. Below is some info. I will post additional info in the morning.

Summary: Warm, dry air produced low relative humidity in the 15 to 25 percent range. The low relative humidity combined with 15-25 mph sustained winds with gusts up to 50 mph and low fuel moisture produced potential for explosive fire growth across the Commonwealth. High winds across the Commonwealth contributed to multiple power outages.

There are reports of multiple wildfires across areas of Southwest, West Central and South Central Virginia. At this time one wildfire is uncontained in Campbell County. A wildfire in Madison County is contained and has transitioned to urban fire suppression with multiple buildings threatened or involved.

Emergency Declarations:

§    Orange County

§    Madison County

Resource Requests:

§   Henrico County; 14 Feb. 2011; request 1 Forestry Bulldozer with operator

Localities:

§    Madison County; reports 4 or more wildfires; all County fire apparatus doing fire suppression; mutual aid fire units assisting; several commercial buildings and some residential buildings evacuated  

§    Pittsylvania County; multiple wildfires; half of County fire apparatus doing fire suppression

§    Campbell County; 4 wildfires burning; five residential buildings evacuated

§    Orange County; 2 of 5 fire departments assisting surrounding counties

State Agencies:

Virginia Department of Forestry

§    50 plus wildfires across Commonwealth; majority contained

§    24 counties reported wildfires of various size

§    Forestry Command Center in Charlottesville staffed and operational

Virginia Department of Fire Programs

§    ESF 4 personnel staffing VEOC

Spring wildfire season does not start "officially" till tomorrow but it got off to a pretty active "pre-fire season weekend" see SIT report at link below. Also bookmark the location and check back daily to see previous days fire activity.

http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/sit-rep.shtml

Could be interesting in many locations today and tomorrow. Check out the perdicted winds in the banner above that ran on a local TV station today.

Good morning and Happy Valentines Day !

Below is a link to a Google based map I will be trying to keep up. I will pull info and link to news stories I find on the web

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=215779405166364135773.00049becfb0ca4016e2ed&z=9

Thanks and now READ the following weather alert and stay safe!!

SEVERE WEATHER ALERT Issued by the National Weather Service

1 of 2 alerts

• Red Flag WarningAmherst; Appomattox; Bedford; Buckingham; Campbell; Charlotte; Franklin; Halifax; Henry; Patrick; Pittsylvania; Alleghany; Bath; Bland; Botetourt; Carroll; Craig; Floyd; Giles; Grayson; Montgomery; Pulaski; Roanoke; Rockbridge; Smyth; Tazewell; Wythe; Albemarle; Augusta; Culpeper; Greene; King George; Madison; Nelson; Northern Fauquier; Orange; Page; Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park; Rappahannock; Rockingham; Shenandoah; Southern Fauquier; Spotsylvania; Stafford; Warren
  1 of 2 alerts
• Wind AdvisoryAlbemarle; Augusta; Eastern Highland; Greene; Madison; Nelson; Page; Rappahannock; Rockingham; Shenandoah; Warren; Western Highland
  2 of 2 alerts

Red Flag Warning
Expiring: 09:00 PM on Monday, February 14
Areas affected: Amherst; Appomattox; Bedford; Buckingham; Campbell; Charlotte; Franklin; Halifax; Henry; Patrick; Pittsylvania

Red Flag Warning issued February 14 at 3:46AM EST expiring February 14 at 9:00PM EST by NWS Blacksburg ...STRONG WESTERLY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY TO CREATE CRITICAL FIRE DANGER ACROSS VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA TODAY... .A DRY COLD FRONT WILL SWEEP SOUTHEAST ACROSS THE REGION TODAY. RELATIVELY WARM TEMPERATURES...VERY DRY AIR...AND STRONG WEST WINDS WILL OCCUR AHEAD OF THE FRONT. A SURGE OF STRONGER WIND IS EXPECTED TO OCCUR BEHIND THE FRONT THIS AFTERNOON...GUSTY WINDS LINGERING THROUGH THE EVENING. THESE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL RESULT IN A CONTINUED DRYING OF FOREST FUELS SUCH AS GRASS... LEAVES AND BRUSH. THIS WILL CREATE DANGEROUS FIRE CONDITIONS WITH POTENTIAL FOR UNCONTROLLABLE FIRE SPREAD IF A FIRE IGNITION TAKES PLACE. ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO 9 PM EST THIS EVENING... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO 9 PM EST THIS EVENING...FOR THE FOOTHILLS AND PIEDMONT OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA. THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. * TIMING...FROM TODAY THROUGH THIS EVENING...WITH THE MOST CRITICAL CONDITIONS TO OCCUR DURING THE PEAK HEATING PART OF THE DAY. * WINDS...WESTERLY...SUSTAINED 15 TO 25 MPH...WITH GUSTS BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH. STRONGER GUSTS ARE POSSIBLE IN THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS. * HUMIDITY...15 TO 25 PERCENT. * FUEL MOISTURE...WILL BE VERY LOW...FINE FUELS AROUND 5 PERCENT...10 HOUR FUELS BETWEEN 6 AND 8 PERCENT. * IMPACT...CONDITIONS WILL BE CONDUCIVE FOR THE RAPID SPREAD OF WILDFIRES. FIRE IGNITIONS MAY RESULT FROM WINDS BLOWING TREE LIMBS ONTO POWER LINES.

  

 

 

Stay safe and stay vigilant!