Fire at Coal Mountain in Wyoming County
LOGAN Wildfires continue to burn in Southern West Virginia despite recent rains.
Wildfires have continued to spread across southern West Virginia this week, with firefighting crews working to contain the blazes. Limited rainfall in the region has not been enough to slow the fires, which remain fueled by ongoing dry conditions and a prolonged drought.
The West Virginia Division of Forestry has nearly sixty personnel deployed to fight the fires, which have primarily affected Logan, Mingo, Kanawha, Wayne, Wyoming and Lincoln counties.
According to Division of Forestry Director Jeremy Jones, the dry weather combined with the seasonal transition from summer to fall has contributed to the rapid spread of the fires. As the tree canopy thins with the changing season, the ground dries quickly, even after light rainfall, allowing fires to spread more easily.
Since July first, the Division of Forestry has responded to four hundred and sixty-four fires, burning over fifteen thousand acres statewide. The state remains under an open burning ban, which was issued by Governor Jim Justice last week and remains in effect until further notice.
Jones noted that while the ban has been largely effective, some violations have occurred. However, he believes the public is largely following the law, recognizing the importance of minimizing the risk of additional fires.
While most of the fires in the coalfields are now contained, Jones warned that smoke could persist in areas like Logan County, which received little rainfall, for several more days.
PHOTO | Tanner Thomas
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