Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 22, 1994 TAG: 9411220138
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
He warned that a few counties in far Southwest Virginia didn't get as much rain as others and should take extra precautions.
The Jefferson National Forest received a half-inch of rain and also lifted its ban on open fires and camp stove fires on the federal land, spokesman Dave Olson said.
Several fires burned hundreds of acres over the weekend in Russell, Scott, Dickenson and Tazewell counties, according to the state Department of Forestry. Two firefighters received minor injuries, and two homes were damaged.
Steep terrain and dead wood from last winter's ice storms hindered fire crews' efforts, but rains early Monday helped crews contain the fires.
On Nov. 9, Garner banned all burning west of U.S. 29 because of severe dry conditions. The ban - which forbade open burning within 300 feet of woodlands - affected 40 counties.
Dry conditions have helped spark 209 fires since Oct. 15, said Department of Forestry spokesman Lou Southard. Those fires burned about 1,750 acres, mostly in Southwest Virginia.
``It's not that unusual for this time of year,'' Southard said. ``We have had dry conditions in some of the western counties.'' Dry, fallen leaves also are a fire hazard, he said.
Although the ban is lifted, officials warned hunters and campers to take extra precautions because of dry conditions that remain in many areas of Virginia.
Garner said he would not hesitate to ban burning again if fire activity increases.
by CNB