High winds whipped up four brush fires across central Virginia Sunday, just days before the official start of spring fire season. The statewide burn ban starts Wednesday, February 15 and goes to April 13. During which, the state will limit open burning to between 4:00pm and midnight.
On windy, dry days like Sunday, it only takes a moment for a small fire to get out of control. A spark in a small pile of debris left three acres of land charred Sunday off Field Creek Lane in Albemarle County. It took 11 fire crews to contain the fast-spreading flames.
L.E. Rhodes of the Virginia Department of Forestry said, "Just all of the sudden the constant breeze, gusty winds, just tends to make the fire burn with more intensity it adds fuel to the fire."
It is a fuel that leaves ash in its path and makes a simple mistake a potentially destructive one. Firefighters estimated winds around 25 miles an hour Sunday, creating a dangerous atmosphere for fire to spread.
Albemarle County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Steve Elliott said, "I cant express enough - do not burn when you have winds or winds are predicted, that is the main reason fire spreads so quickly."
Dry weather, dry vegetation, potential accelerants close to homes and buildings, and the disposal of ashes from outdoor and indoor fires can all be key players in a very dangerous game.
"Even if you think it's a good, safe day to burn, it doesn't take much for it to get going this time of year," stated Rhodes. Elliott added, "February is the highest rate of brush fires in the commonwealth usually."
Fire crews are warning you to think twice before burning. "If you do burn, have an area cleared out around the area they are burning at least 50 feet in every direction. Do not burn close to 300 feet to a structure and also have water supply on hand to be able to extinguish a fire," advised Elliott.
Firefighters say brush fires are some of the toughest to put out. If you have a fire that gets even a little out of control they best thing to do is call for help right away because the faster crews arrive the quicker they can contain it.
