By james art 
As drought conditions continue in West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice on Monday issued a proclamation banning open burning in all 55 counties.
The statewide burn ban is intended to reduce the risk of “catastrophic wildfires” and will remain in effect until conditions improve and a justice revokes the proclamation, a news release said.
Lack of rain has led to drought in condition begins in summer. There is drought devastated farmers in the state and threatened the water supply in at least one city.
As of last week, all of West Virginia remains in unusually dry to extreme drought conditions, according to the US Drought Monitor.
Until the governor’s order is lifted, it is against the law to light fires, including those made for camping, burning debris or keeping warm.
The following are exceptions to the burning ban:
- Fires for chemical manufacturing purposes where fire is essential to the work.
- Fires for commercial land clearing, such as mining, highway construction and development, if permission is obtained from the Forest Department.
- Training fires conducted under the direct control and supervision of qualified instructors in a training facility operated by a fire department or government agency, if permission has been obtained from the Forestry Department prior to the burn.
- Outdoor cooking fires held for fundraising events and charities, provided a water source capable of extinguishing the fire must be present and permission is obtained from the Forestry Department prior to the operation.
- Liquid fuel gas grills, lanterns or liquid fuel gas stoves.
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