UPDATE: 11/22 PULASKI COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) — Pulaski County has announced that officials have lifted the Local State Of Emergency that prohibited open burning across the county.
“Conditions have substantially improved over the last 24 hours allowing for safer conditions for open air burning,” said Brad Wright the Pulaski County Emergency Management Coordinator.
The ban was in place for two weeks and was lifted on Nov. 22.
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PULASKI COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) — As wildfires continue to spread throughout the commonwealth, several counties and cities have issued a burn ban. On Nov. 8, Pulaski County declared a local emergency due to drought and extremely dry conditions creating a high risk of fires.
This announcement comes just a week after a wildfire scorched about 536 acres in the county. Officials say the entire Pulaski County has recently experienced abnormally dry and drought conditions, which are continuing to impact the community.
As a result, officials have imposed a ban on any open burning on private property. This includes the burning of any wood, brush, logs, leaves, grass, debris, and other inflammable materials. However, the use of propane or natural gas outdoor grills and similar gas-fired cooking equipment or the proper use of emergency road flares are allowed.
According to the Pulaski County Director of Emergency Management, this decision was made to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people and businesses.
Officials say a violation of this order can result in a Class 1 misdemeanor.
The burn ban will remain in effect until the local declaration of emergency is lifted.
WFXR News will update this story as additional information is released.
