Wildfire Danger Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Learning From California Wildfires And Local Impact Of Trump’s Cabinet, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, some cabinet nominees from President Donald Trump are flying a bit under the radar — and could affect West Virginia’s interests. And wildfires may be getting worse — even in Appalachia.

On this West Virginia Morning, some of President Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees who will affect West Virginia’s interests are flying a bit under the radar. Marshall University associate professor of political science Marybeth Beller spoke with Randy Yohe on her analysis of four Trump cabinet hopefuls and their potential relationship to the Mountain State.

And Los Angeles, California has been under siege from wildfires that have burned out tens of thousands of acres and claimed dozens of lives. Wildfires are common in California –and to our region. But they seem to be getting worse. Inside Appalachia’s Bill Lynch spoke with Penn State professor Dr. Ericka Smithwick, a fire expert, about the causes of wildfires and what communities might do to prepare.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

Kanawha County Commission Seeks Burn Ban Over Drought

As drought conditions become more severe in central West Virginia, some local officials have expressed concern for public safety and a desire for tighter regulations on firemaking.

On Monday, the Kanawha County Commission penned letters to Gov. Jim Justice and Jeremy Jones, director of the West Virginia Division of Forestry. In these letters, the commissioners requested a formal “burn ban” for the county, prohibiting man-made fires while drought conditions persist.

Similar bans are currently active in several other parts of the state, including Fayette, Nicholas and Wirt counties.

Commission President Lance Wheeler, Commissioner Ben Salango and Commissioner Marc Slotnick made the request because “the ongoing extreme drought” brought “dry vegetation and dry, brittle leaves on the ground,” according to a Tuesday press release.

Currently, Kanawha County is experiencing an “extreme drought” according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

With little rain expected in the days ahead, the commission expressed concern that this would put the county at greater risk of wildfires, as residents could have less control over the spread of their burns.

“We implore people not to burn this week,” they wrote. The commission asked residents not to burn trash, and to ensure cigarettes “are completely out before disposal.”

This summer, sparse rainfall has brought challenges to agriculture across the state, leading Justice to declare a state of emergency for all 55 West Virginia counties in July.

In March, dry conditions and strong winds led to the spread of wildfires in the state’s Eastern Panhandle and Potomac Highlands.

Under state law, outdoor burning is prohibited from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 during daytime hours due to increased wildfire risk.

But the governor and state forester can issue a burning ban to address environmental concerns outside that time period — a step that members of the commission are now urging state officials to take.

Fire Danger High Due To High Winds And Warm Temperatures

The National Weather Service warns low humidity will be above normal temperatures and dry fuels will combine with gusty winds to create a heightened danger of wildfire ignition. They say this has the potential to spread through this evening.

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement in coordination with the West Virginia Division of Forestry.

The weather service warns low humidity will be above normal temperatures and dry fuels will combine with gusty winds to create a heightened danger of wildfire ignition. They say this has the potential to spread through the evening.

Spring fire burning laws are not yet in effect, but with several brush fires reported, the public is cautioned against open burning of any type at this time. It is also advised that people exercise caution with heat and sparks while operating any equipment or smoking in wildland areas.

The Special Weather Statement is in effect until 7 p.m. EST with the following counties included:

Wayne, Cabell, Mason, Jackson, Wood, Pleasants, Tyler, Lincoln, Putnam, Kanawha, Roane, Calhoun, Ritchie, Doddridge, Mingo, Logan, Boone, McDowell, Wyoming, Upshur, Barbour, Raleigh, Fayette, Nicholas, Webster, Pocahontas and Randolph counties.

The National Weather Service indicates high winds throughout the day and into the evening.

“We have strong gusty winds that have developed across the area,” said Simone Lewis, meteorologist with the Charleston branch of the National Weather Service. “In addition to the fact there’s a very dry air mass in place, there’s a lot of dry, dead vegetation left over from the winter, that, along with the wind, has led to really dry conditions and an increased fire threat.”