Fire Threat: Outdoor Burning Discouraged In Virginia Thursday, Weather Officials Say

People in Virginia should not conduct any outside burning if possible Thursday afternoon, weather officials advise.

The combination of windy and dry conditions has created an enhanced threat for the spread of wildfires, according to the National Weather Service.

Those handling any sort of ignition source — machinery, cigarettes or matches — should be extremely careful, particularly if discarding smoking materials.

"Any dry grasses and tree litter that ignite will have the potential to spread quickly," weather officials advised.

Winds will be 20 to 30 mph, while moisture and humidity in the air remain low.

"Outdoor burning is highly discouraged," the National Weather Service said in a special weather statement Thursday. The statement applies to northern and central Virginia, most of Maryland and eastern West Virginia.

The Virginia areas where outdoor burning is discouraged Thursday afternoon due to the enhanced fire threat include Albemarle, Alexandria, Arlington, Culpeper, Greene, Fairfax, Fauquier, Falls Church, Highland, King George, Loudoun, Madison, Manassas, Manassas Park, Nelson, Orange, Prince William, Rappahannock, Stafford, Spotsylvania and Warren.

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