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

November 7, 2023
Outdoor Open Burning Restriction

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

The Board took this action considering the current conditions across the county and the “D2, Severe
Drought” designation by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Our partners in Madison County and the
Shenandoah National Park have also enacted open burning restrictions. Another indication of local
drought is reported by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, which agency 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.”

Consistent with their earlier restriction enactment, the Board authorized the County Administrator to lift
the outdoor open burning restriction when conditions warrant, 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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