Gov. Jim Justice has amended the statewide burning ban he issued on Friday to include an additional exception: fires built for warming or cooking within fireplaces or fire rings at designated federal and state recreation areas.
Justice announced the amendment on Tuesday. The change came at the request of the Division of Forestry and Division of Natural Resources.
He said drought conditions, reduced water supplies and increased fire risks made the burning ban necessary. It remains in effect until conditions improve and he rescinds it via proclamation.
The ban covers outdoor burning, including campfires, warming fires and burning of debris.
The new exception allows area managers to have the authority and discretion to continue the ban on open burning within any designated areas.
Justice’s updated proclamation also corrects an error in the original list of exceptions. The original exceptions are:
— Fires essential to chemical production.
— Fires permitted by the Division of Forestry for commercial land-clearing, such as mining, highway construction, and development.
— Training fires permitted by the Division of Forestry and conducted under the direct control and supervision of qualified instructors at a training facility operated by a fire department or government entity.
— Fires permitted by the Division of Forestry for outdoor cooking conducted for fundraising events and charitable organizations; provided that a water source capable of extinguishing the fire must be present.
— Liquid-fueled gas grills, lanterns, or liquid-fueled gas fire stoves.
“We have experienced a significant, extended period of above average temperatures, low humidity and below average rainfall,” Division of Forestry Director and State Forester Barry Cook said Friday. “In September alone, we have experienced 60 different fires in the state. Conditions have not been like this for 10 years. This ban helps ensure we are doing what we can to protect our forests, the public, and private property from the damage that could occur from a forest fire.”
