Lunenburg Declares Local Emergency and Ban on Outdoor Burning

LUNENBURG – The dry weather in the area has led to a declaration of “short term drought” conditions in the area by state officials, and with no rain in sight, local officials in Lunenburg have now declared a Declaration of Local Emergency.

The Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors issued a release last week that states, “in accordance with Section 44-146.21 and 15.2-922.1 of the Code of Virginia, hereby establishes a DECLARATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY AND A BAN ON ALL OPEN-AIR FIRES AND OUTDOOR BURNING for the entirety of the County of Lunenburg, including the Town of Victoria and the Town of Kenbridge until further notice. The Declaration of Local Emergency puts on alert all County fire response agencies, should emergency response be required.”

The ban on open-air fires and outdoor burning applies to all public and private property. The ban includes and applies to: burning associated with construction, earth-moving and demolition operations; burning associated with all agricultural and silvicultural activities; home burn barrels, fire pits or equivalents; campfires on public and private property; and all other open-air and outdoor fires. The ban will remain in effect until Lunenburg County receives sufficient precipitation to reduce the fire danger.

Forecasts for Lunenburg have no precipitation until the end of the month. Many farmers are already having to make changes to their normal procedures with ponds dry and streams lower than normal.