Forestry officials had a slow season in responding to brush fires in the area. Local Virginia Department of Forestry technician Nelson Jarvis said, “It was an exceptionally light year in my history of working here.”

However, he was quick to warn residents that each year, conditions can vary from one extreme to the other and added that strict adherence to the 4 p.m. statewide burn ban, which begins Sunday, is paramount to keeping the number of wildfires low.

Once the ban begins, Virginia residents cannot burn trash or debris before 4 p.m. or after midnight through April 30, when humidity levels begin to increase. Violating the law is a Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500, as well as being financially liable for the cost of suppressing the fire and for any damage caused to another’s property.

According to Jarvis, now is a good time for residents to rake away any accumulating leaves or flammable debris that may be close to their homes. “It’s even good to clear a patch around the perimeter of your property,” he said, which aids firefighters and forestry officials in fighting a blaze if one starts.

“We encourage people to take all possibilities into consideration when thinking of lighting a fire,” Jarvis added. For instance, when conditions are wet underneath and a fire starts on top of the ground, fire apparatus can easily get stuck when trying to extinguish the blaze.

He also praised volunteer fire departments in the area for being proactive in educating homeowners of the dangers of brush fires and encouraging prevention of these fires and how to best keep them from spreading if they do begin.

Jarvis said residents should not hesitate to call the fire department if they think a fire is getting beyond their control. “When people are quick to call, fire departments are quick to get there,” he said, which cuts down on the size of the fire as well as the costs incurred when fighting it.

“Wildfires in the commonwealth are very weather-dependent,” added state forester Bettina Ring. “Low humidity, dry fuels, such as leaves, grass and tree limbs, and gusty winds are prevalent this time of year. Even a relatively small fire can quickly get out of control and spread fast.”

Ring said that 37 percent of wildfires that occur in Virginia each year are caused by people burning trash or debris, adding that more than 95 percent of wildfires each year in the state are caused by humans, and are preventable.

“Virginia’s 4 p.m. law has been in place since 1940 and is one of the best tools we have for reducing the threat of wildfires,” Ring said. “Because humidity levels typically increase and wind speeds usually decrease after 4 p.m., the likelihood of a fire escaping someone’s control is reduced.”

Once the burn ban is in effect, fire officials still urge common sense when burning, taking into consideration weather conditions on any given day. “If wind speed is in excess of 20 miles per hour and humidity levels are below 30 percent, please don’t light a fire,” urged VDOF’s resource protection director John Miller. “The chances are high that the fire will escape, and that’s a safety issue for you, your family and your neighbors.”

For more information about the spring wildfire season, the 4 p.m. burn law and alternatives to debris burning, visit www.dof.virginia.gov.