Indefinite burn ban posted in Smyth County

Smyth County’s emergency management director has ordered an indefinite ban on outdoor burning as Southwest Virginia continues to deal with an early season drought that has placed the entire region at moderate risk levels for wildfires.

The resolution defining the ban and conditions says the risk for loss of life and property has been elevated as various brush fires have been reported in recent days.

Forestry experts said high fuel loads on the forest floor, including debris from 2024’s hurricane, has heightened fire activity with some parts of the Commonwealth having the driest spring on record.

(IMAGE: Property of Virginia Department of Forestry / Official Facebook)