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RICHMOND — Governor Timothy M. Kaine has declared a statewide emergency
and enacted a ban on open fires beginning Friday, October 19. The
statewide burning ban is the result of drought conditions that have
created a serious risk of widespread and dangerous forest fires in
every region of the Commonwealth.
“We have looked at all the current data and reviewed the projections
for the fall fire season, and everything points to a significant threat
to public safety,” said Governor Kaine. “I have declared a state of
emergency to exist within the Commonwealth to try to minimize the risk
of forest fires that could threaten lives and property.”
The burn ban will remain in effect until existing weather conditions
improve with significant rain or snow. Violation of the law is a Class
3 misdemeanor with a fine of not more than $500.
Governor Kaine has authorized the Virginia National Guard to assist the
Virginia Department of Forestry in fighting and mitigating the effects
of wildfires. The Coordinator of Emergency Management, Secretary of
Public Safety, Adjutant General of Virginia, the Commissioner of Health
and the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services will
coordinate efforts to provide assistance in dealing with potential or
actual drought-related issues.
“Most areas in Virginia have not received adequate rainfall for several
months. Rainfall deficits range from nearly six inches in the Richmond
area to more than 14 inches in the mountains of Southwest Virginia,”
said State Forester Carl E. Garrison III. “With such extremely dry
conditions, any escaped fire would have the potential to become a major
wildfire very quickly. And, since debris burning is already the number
one cause of fires in Virginia, a prohibition on all burning will
reduce the threat.”
The declaration does not have a direct impact on hunting season, but
will prevent the use of warming or camp fires on all state-owned and
privately owned lands in Virginia in addition to the prohibition on
open burning.
Virginia has records which date back to 1925, and the 30 year average
is 1,449 forest fires and 8,338 acres per year. The most fires in one
year occurred in 1941 when 3,697 fires were fought. The most acres —
333,023 — burned in 1930.
Most of Virginia declared disaster area from drought
The Kaine Administration announced late last week that the Acting U.S.
Secretary of Agriculture has designated 78 additional Virginia
counties, including Halifax County, and 34 independent cities as
primary natural disaster areas due to reductions in farm production
caused by drought and high temperatures that occurred from January 1,
2007, and continuing. Previously, 15 counties had been declared primary
natural disaster areas.
With these additional designations, all Virginia counties are now
covered with the exception of Arlington and York counties. Arlington
and York were not approved as primary natural disaster areas because
they were not found to have sustained qualifying crop losses due to the
natural disaster, but which have received contiguous disaster status.
The independent cities of Alexandria, Falls Church and Poquoson have
also received contiguous disaster status; all other independent cities
in Virginia have already been designated or named by the Secretary of
Agriculture for this same disaster.
These disaster designations make farmers eligible for low-interest
loans and any supplemental relief that may be provided by Congress.
“Because of the statewide disaster designation, farmers with qualifying
crop losses across Virginia are now eligible to apply for low-interest
loans that can help provide critical assistance,” said Governor Kaine.
Because agriculture in the entire state has been impacted by the
drought, Governor Kaine and the Commissioner of the Virginia Department
of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Todd P. Haymore, had
requested a statewide primary natural disaster designation. Governor
Kaine also sent letters to Virginia’s Congressional Delegation
encouraging them to support special legislation for direct financial
assistance to farmers. Such assistance could offset drought losses that
could have long-term negative economic consequences for Virginia’s farm
families.
Disaster declarations make farm operators in both primary and
contiguous areas eligible to be considered for low-interest emergency
loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, provided they meet certain eligibility requirements. FSA
will consider each application on its own merits by taking into account
the extent of the losses, security available, and repayment ability.
Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers with additional
information.
For previously issued disaster designations and additional
drought-related information, visit the VDACS drought webpage at