MERCER COUNTY, W.Va. – With the joy of the fall colors this time of the year, it’s easy to forget the harm they can do once fallen from the trees, becoming fuel for forest fires.
Bluefield, West Virginia is on track for its third driest October on record, while Beckley is heading for the second driest. Rain from Helene may have lowered people’s alertness for potential fires, but emergency management official Keith Gunnoe urges everyone to stay vigilant.
He says, “So a lot of that rain where it comes really heavy, that rain runoff into the creeks and streams, which was a good thing for the creeks and streams. But since then, we’ve not had any rain since then. We’ve had several breezy, windy days and it doesn’t take much to for those sub those surface fuels like your leaves, your pine needles your very light fuels to dry out when you have a windy day.”
Despite the dry and breezy conditions, the state of West Virginia is currently not under a burn ban, but Gunnoe says there are restrictions in effect right now. He offers tips for burning safely.
He states, “If you’re going to burn we would suggest people to follow. One is to be mindful of the wind conditions. I noticed outside today we it’s become breezy today. Today wouldn’t be a good day to burn. If people choose to burn or when they choose to burn, they need to have at least a 10 foot radius circle around the pile that they’re going to burn, preferably down to mineral sole, and I’ll have a water hose handy and just be very cautious.”
Gunnoe also suggests keeping leaf build-up to a minimum around your home, just in case a brushfire does take place near your property.
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