Board of Supervisors

Debbie P. Donehey, Chair

RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY Keir A. Whitson, Vice Chair
Van C. Carney
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE Ronald L. Frazier
3 Library Road - P.O. Box 519 Christine Smith
Washington, Virginia 22747-0519 County Administrator
Phone: (540) 675-5330 Fax: (540) 675-5331 Garrey W. Curry, Jr., P.E.
www.rappahannockcountyva.gov Asst. County Administrator
Bonnie L. Jewell

RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY, VIRGINIA

PRESS RELEASE

September 7, 2023
Outdoor Open Burning Restriction

In response to extraordinarily dry conditions, the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted during their
September 6, 2023 regular meeting to impose outdoor open burning restrictions within Rappahannock
County until further notice.

The Board took this action upon recommendation of the Public Safety Committee, which body
considered the current conditions across the county and the recent “D1, Moderate Drought” designation
by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Today, the U.S. Drought Monitor worsened the drought intensity for most
of Rappahannock County to “D2, Severe Drought.” The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
has identified that streamflow in the region is at an “emergency” level.

The specific unanimous action taken by the Board was to establish that because the forestlands,
brushlands, and fields in Rappahannock County have become so dry as to create a serious fire hazard
endangering lives and property, it shall be unlawful for any persons to do any open burning nearer than
300 feet from any such forestlands, brushlands or fields containing dry grass or other flammable material.

The Board authorized the County Administrator to lift the outdoor open burning restriction when
conditions warrant that action upon consultation with Rappahannock County Volunteer Fire and Rescue
Association President, Richie Burke and Rappahannock County Emergency Management/Services
Coordinator, Darren Stevens.

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