Governor Jim Justice announced Friday Afternoon that all outdoor burning will be prohibited within the state of West Virginia.
The release stated that ban is to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires due to drought. The ban, which is necessary because of drought conditions and reduced water supply levels in some communities, will be in effect until conditions improve.
The Governor’s ban makes it unlawful for any person in the state to engage in outdoor burning, including fires built for camping, the burning of debris, or warming, according to the release.
The release said that the Governor has instructed the Division of Forestry to enact a forest fire readiness plan and to enforce the ban on burning as outlined in W.Va. Code §20-1-1.