With increasing dry conditions in the Smith Mountain Lake area, local officials have acted to prevent brush and forest fires. In an article from the Smith Mountain Eagle, Reporter Rob Lyon reported:
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management issued a “red flag warning” discouraging any open air fires due to the low humidity, high winds and current dry conditions.
Pittsylvania County has also enacted a burning ban. The ban went into effect Wednesday, March 8, and will continue in effect until terminated by action of the Board of Supervisors or terminated by the chairman of the board and the director of Emergency Services.
A large wildfire along the Bedford/Botetourt County line last week was contained after several days. The fire burned approximately 1,200 acres. A Blue Ridge man has been charged with causing the fire after a debris fire he allegedly started in his backyard spread to the nearby woods.
In the meantime, Virginia farmers are continuing to deal with crop damages and loss as a result from last year’s dry conditions. Read the entire article here.