|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
West Virginia Fire Danger Season SPRING FOREST FIRE SEASON IN EFFECT THROUGH MAY 31 From March 1 through May 31, outdoor burning is prohibited between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. During this three-month period, known as the spring forest fire season, outdoor burning is permitted only in the evening and at night, between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7 a.m., when the chances of a fire escaping are reduced due to cooler temperatures, increased humidity and calmer winds.
Residents can help prevent forest fires by refraining from burning if dry or windy conditions exist. Smokey Bear Fire Danger Warning Signs are posted throughout the State to notify the public of the potential for forest fires in their area. The signs show danger levels from low to extreme. Any level above low should be an indicator to residents to be extremely careful when burning outdoors or to refrain from burning altogether until their area receives measurable rainfall. The DOF's top priority has always been and continues to be protecting the State's forest resource from the ravages of wildfire. At the turn of the 20th century, wildfires devastated West Virginia's forests. In 1908, more than 1.7 million acres of forestland were destroyed by fire. As a result of this devastation, the West Virginia Reform Law of 1909 was established to protect the State's only renewable resource, the forest. Today the DOF is reponsible for protecting nearly 12 million acres of forestland across West Virginia. In Fiscal Year 2005, the majority of wildfires (41%) were caused by carelessness, when debris fires were allowed to escape and ignite the surrounding woods. The second leading cause of wildfires in FY 2005 was due to arson (incendiary). Arson-caused fires resulted in 31% of all wildfires in West Virginia during that period. Other causes of wildfires included equipment use (15%), campfires (2%), smokers (2%), children (2%), and railroads (1%). Another 6% were attributed to miscellaneous causes. The 2008 Spring Forest Fire Season ends May 31. For more information about the 2008 Fall Forest Fire Season, visit the W.Va. Division of Forestry's web site at www.wvforestry.com. WEST VIRGINIA FOREST FIRE LAWS The periods of each year between March 1 and May 31, inclusive, and October 1 and December 31, inclusive, are hereby designated as Forest Fire Seasons. No person shall during ANY such fire season, except between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. prevailing time, set on fire or cause to be set on fire any forest land, or any grass, grain, stubble, slash, debris, or other inflammable materials. Any fire set during this time shall be extinguished prior to 7:00 a.m. prevailing time. Such prohibition of fires between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. prevailing time shall not be construed to include (1) small fires set for the purpose of food preparation, or providing light or warmth around which all grass, brush, stubble, or other debris has been removed for a distance of ten feet from the fire, and (2) burning which may be conducted at any time when the ground surrounding the burning site is covered by one inch or more of snow. No burning may be done unless all inflammable material has been removed from around the material to be burned as a safety strip for a distance which insures that the fire will not escape and which is not less than 10 feet. If fire escapes beyond the safety strip, the person responsible shall be guilty of misdemeanor.
|
|
|
|
      |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  
| Home |
Eyewitness News Newsroom |
Storm Team Weather |
Eyewitness Sports |
Schedules |
Programs |
Send email to news@wchstv.com for information or comments concerning WCHS-TV Eyewitness News.Copyright ©2008, WCHS-TV8. Portions are Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed. |
