Virginia Department of Forestry issues warning of wildfires during cold weather
LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) is warning about wildfire dangers — after 29 in the commonwealth yesterday. On Thursday, Dec. 5, the Louisa County Department of Fire and EMS battled a brush fire on Bannister Town Road near the town of Louisa. The Virginia Department of Forestry’s wildfire map showed a 5-acre brush fire near Bannister Town Road. At 4:48 p.m., it was reported as 100% contained. According to VDOF, another wildfire broke out in Brunswick County, about 15 acres of private land just off Brunswick Drive, near Route 85 and Edmond Stone. It was also 100% contained with no injuries or damages to property. Communications Specialist Cory Swift said despite dropping temperatures, a combination of weather events can still produce flames. “Air temperature is really just one factor of many when it comes to wildfire risk," Swift said. "And behavior that we see this time of year is that the lower humidity and the winds can really propel fire and also frost when it kills vegetation, or it causes vegetation to go dormant.” Swift said most wildfires are caused by people and can be prevented. “If it's windy out, don't burn debris in your yard,” Swift said. “You may want to not have a campfire. It's just not the smartest thing when it's so dry and so windy." But wild flames are not always a bad thing. “Fire can actually benefit our local ecosystems by helping add more nutrients back into the soil and clearing out invasive species,” Swift said. “A forest can become overrun with too many different plant species. So, it kind of helps thinning things out and helps with seed dispersal as well.” Swift said being aware of these tips can help, especially with the Spring fire season starting from Feb. 15 through April 30.
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LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) is warning about wildfire dangers — after 29 in the commonwealth yesterday.
On Thursday, Dec. 5, the Louisa County Department of Fire and EMS battled a brush fire on Bannister Town Road near the town of Louisa.
The Virginia Department of Forestry’s wildfire map showed a 5-acre brush fire near Bannister Town Road. At 4:48 p.m., it was reported as 100% contained.
According to VDOF, another wildfire broke out in Brunswick County, about 15 acres of private land just off Brunswick Drive, near Route 85 and Edmond Stone. It was also 100% contained with no injuries or damages to property.
Communications Specialist Cory Swift said despite dropping temperatures, a combination of weather events can still produce flames.
“Air temperature is really just one factor of many when it comes to wildfire risk," Swift said. "And behavior that we see this time of year is that the lower humidity and the winds can really propel fire and also frost when it kills vegetation, or it causes vegetation to go dormant.”
Swift said most wildfires are caused by people and can be prevented.
“If it's windy out, don't burn debris in your yard,” Swift said. “You may want to not have a campfire. It's just not the smartest thing when it's so dry and so windy."
But wild flames are not always a bad thing.
“Fire can actually benefit our local ecosystems by helping add more nutrients back into the soil and clearing out invasive species,” Swift said. “A forest can become overrun with too many different plant species. So, it kind of helps thinning things out and helps with seed dispersal as well.”
Swift said being aware of these tips can help, especially with the Spring fire season starting from Feb. 15 through April 30.
