Mecklenburg issues full outdoor burn ban as fire risk rises

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Mecklenburg County officials have implemented a full outdoor burn ban effective Tuesday afternoon amid a spike in brush fires and dry conditions.

On Monday, April 6, Mecklenburg County Emergency Services announced an outdoor open-air burning ban that will take effect until further notice starting at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, according to a social post.

Officials said fire departments have responded to an increase in brush fires across Mecklenburg County and the risk for fire spread remains high due to the combined with ongoing dry conditions, low humidity and the lack of meaningful rainfall in the forecast.

"This burn ban is being put in place to help protect our communities, our responders, and our natural resources," officials wrote in the post.

The full outdoor burn ban comes as Virginia remains under its burning law through Thursday, April 30, prohibiting outdoor burning between midnight and 4 p.m. within 300 feet of the woods or dry grass. This includes debris burning, campfires and open-air charcoal grills, said the agency.

The burn ban does not apply to charcoal or gas-fired barbecue grills.