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Statewide burn ban goes into effect Saturday

The ban goes until the end of April

Stock photo of brush fire

ROANOKE, Va. – Despite the fact that February has been exceptionally wet in our part of the Commonwealth, a statewide burn ban goes into effect Saturday, the 15th.

The statewide law prohibits open air burning before 4 p.m. within 300 feet of woodlands. This applies to camp fires, brush piles, trash and anything that can spread a fire. According to the Virginia Department of Forestry, 95% of wildfires are caused by human activity.

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The ban is in place through April 30th.

When weather systems pass through this time of year, the relative humidity can drop by a lot afterward. That, in combination with a gusty wind, can act as a fuel for these kinds of fires.