Cities, counties issuing open-air burn bans due to dry conditions

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. – UDPATE

As of Friday, Oct. 4, Amherst County has also announced a burn ban.

Extreme dry conditions have caused multiple areas to trigger an open-air burn ban.

On Friday, Henry County issued an immediate burn ban.

Floyd County, Radford and Rocky Mount announced Wednesday that they are joining the list of cities and counties enacting a burn ban.  

On Tuesday, the city of Danville and Wythe County both announced they would enact a burn ban.

On Monday night, Patrick County put an open-air burn ban in place as well.

The Montgomery County announced on Monday its open-air burn ban, which covers campfires, burning of brush from gardens and lawns and any type of burning in a barrel.

The ban will not be lifted until the county sees a steady, saturating rainfall and improved conditions.

While some areas in the county appear green and hydrated, the county says that other areas remain dry and at high risk of fire.

Those who live in and around wooded areas are asked to use extreme caution as fire spreads rapidly and can consume a significant area in a very short time.

The ban does cover the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg.

In Pittsylvania and Franklin counties, as well as Rocky Mount, the bans go into effect at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

A violation of the burn ban is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor, which, if convicted could land the perpetrator up to a year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.

Bland and Giles counties have already announced burn bans.