Speedwell Fire Department

05/27/2026

Burn ban has been lifted

The Board of Supervisors has voted to rescind the burn ban effective immediately. While conditions have improved, residents are urged to continue using caution and good judgment when conducting any outdoor burning.

Please burn responsibly:
• Never leave a fire unattended
• Keep water or tools nearby to extinguish flames
• Avoid burning during windy or dry conditions
• Follow all local safety regulations and permitted burn guidelines

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation during the burn ban and your continued commitment to keeping our community safe.

05/22/2026

Update to the local burn ban, effective today. We will continue to share updates as they come available

Wythe County's ban on open burning remains in effect until drought conditions further improve, but the county is relaxing restrictions on enclosed fires. Limited contained fires in fire rings, fire pits, grills and burn barrels will be permitted effective today, May 22, with the following rules.

Large-scale fires and all unattended fires continue to be prohibited until further notice.

Fire rings, fire pits, grills, or burn barrels shall not exceed 42 inches in diameter.

Fires must be attended by a responsible adult at all times while burning.

Fire must be limited to within the container.

The fire shall be completely extinguished with water before being left unattended.

A water source or fire suppression equipment shall remain readily available during the duration of the fire.

Burning shall be limited to clean, dry wood or approved fuel sources only.

Burning shall immediately cease during periods of high wind, low visibility conditions, or upon direction from emergency personnel.

This modification is in effect as of Friday, May 22, 2026, pending confirmation and ratification by the Wythe County Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

05/15/2026

Tonight, our crews trained on victim removal for both entrapped persons and mayday situations, drag techniques, confined space maneuvering, zero-visibility operations, and communication importance. With teams of two, each group was tasked to enter a simulated structure with both visibility and no visibility, decrease their profile to fit through multiple confined spaces, and work to remove a victim back out of the simulated structure.

05/12/2026

In response to elevated fire danger, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest has instituted fire restrictions within a quarter mile of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail as it passes through the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, camp fire or stove fire is prohibited.

The restrictions are effective immediately and will be in place until rescinded by the Forest Supervisor.

Commercially available fuel stoves, such as propane camp stoves, enclosed lanterns and isobutane backpacking stoves are still permitted to be used. Visitors and hikers are reminded not to leave stoves or lanterns unattended and to make sure they are fully extinguished after using.

Alert Start Date: May 11, 2026
Alert End Date: N/A

Rec Sites Affected:
Appalachian Trail
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
Order Number: 08-08-14-26-02

REMINDER: Wythe County as a whole is still under a burn ban. For more information: https://www.wytheco.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/62

05/05/2026

The total burn ban still remains in effect for the county. We are still in a drought and will be for the foreseeable future. The ban will be reevaluated once drought conditions begin to resolve.

Virginia's official spring fire season may have ended on April 30, but the ongoing drought and current weather conditions are keeping wildfire risk elevated.🔥📈 The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) reports increased fire danger across most of Virginia today, May 5, due to low humidity and gusty winds. Postpone outdoor burning and use extra caution with all potential ignition sources.

04/26/2026

The total burn ban REMAINS in effect. We will need to see some pretty good rain totals before the ban is lifted. All open air fires, including campfires and burn piles, are prohibited and illegal. Do your part and keep your neighbors and our firefighters safe by adhering to the ban.

Declaration of Local Emergency
Wythe County Burn Ban

WHEREAS, as Wythe County Director of Emergency Management, in accordance with §44-146.21 of the Code of Virginia, I have been advised by the county director of emergency services, emergency management coordinator and affiliated agencies regarding consideration of a county-wide ban on outdoor burning; and

WHEREAS, all parts of Wythe County are experiencing abnormally dry conditions, high fire fuel loads, variable wind gust conditions and elevated safety risk to life, property and first responders in the County of Wythe; and

WHEREAS, Wythe County responders have been called to multiple recent brush and grass fires resulting in property damage and threats to persons, livestock and livelihood; and

WHEREAS, adjoining and nearby counties have implemented burn bans after the National Weather Service emplaced advisories against outdoor burning, prompting a need to consider county-wide action; and

WHEREAS, Wythe County is authorized by Virginia Code§ 15.2-922.1 to regulate the making of fires on private property and public places when a declared emergency exists; and,

WHEREAS, the County under§ 44-146.21 may declare a local emergency when the governing body perceives a need to protect the health and safety of persons and property; and,

WHEREAS, also in accordance with § 44-146.21, the governing body, when in its judgment all emergency actions have been taken, shall take appropriate action to end the declared emergency;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, James D. Smith, Chair of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors and by Code the Director of Emergency Management, acting upon the recommendation of fire, emergency management and law enforcement staff, find and declare that a local emergency exists due to fire hazard; and

FURTHERMORE, I do hereby declare an immediate and indefinite ban on outdoor burning, subject to confirmation by the Wythe County Board of Supervisors, effective immediately on this 13th day of April, 2026, at 6 p.m., and authorize the county's public safety and law enforcement agencies to act to enforce this ban.

James D. Smith, Chair
April 13, 2026

04/20/2026

Despite some much needed rain yesterday, the fire danger rebounds today with low humidities and gusty winds. The total burn ban persists as temperatures rise through the week with little rain chances in sight. Refrain from burning and adhere to the full burn ban.

04/19/2026

As National Public Safety Telecommunications week draws to a close, we would like to give a huge “thank you” to our wonderful dispatchers at the Wythe County Central Dispatch center. Without them, our jobs would be utter chaos and borderline impossible. To the voice behind the radio, we thank you and are forever grateful for everything you do for us everyday!

04/13/2026

As of today, there is a TOTAL BURN BAN in effect for Wythe County until further notice. All outdoor burning, regardless of time, recent precipitation, or protective measures taken is completely prohibited and illegal. Please do your part and keep yourself, your neighbors, and our firefighters safe by adhering to the ban. This ban will be in effect until further notice, and will only be lifted when local officials and emergency management deem conditions to be safe. Once lifted, we will return to the annual Spring Burn Ban, with burning only being permitted after 4pm daily.

Declaration of Local Emergency
Wythe County Burn Ban

WHEREAS, as Wythe County Director of Emergency Management, in accordance with §44-146.21 of the Code of Virginia, I have been advised by the county director of emergency services, emergency management coordinator and affiliated agencies regarding consideration of a county-wide ban on outdoor burning; and

WHEREAS, all parts of Wythe County are experiencing abnormally dry conditions, high fire fuel loads, variable wind gust conditions and elevated safety risk to life, property and first responders in the County of Wythe; and

WHEREAS, Wythe County responders have been called to multiple recent brush and grass fires resulting in property damage and threats to persons, livestock and livelihood; and

WHEREAS, adjoining and nearby counties have implemented burn bans after the National Weather Service emplaced advisories against outdoor burning, prompting a need to consider county-wide action; and

WHEREAS, Wythe County is authorized by Virginia Code§ 15.2-922.1 to regulate the making of fires on private property and public places when a declared emergency exists; and,

WHEREAS, the County under§ 44-146.21 may declare a local emergency when the governing body perceives a need to protect the health and safety of persons and property; and,

WHEREAS, also in accordance with § 44-146.21, the governing body, when in its judgment all emergency actions have been taken, shall take appropriate action to end the declared emergency;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, James D. Smith, Chair of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors and by Code the Director of Emergency Management, acting upon the recommendation of fire, emergency management and law enforcement staff, find and declare that a local emergency exists due to fire hazard; and

FURTHERMORE, I do hereby declare an immediate and indefinite ban on outdoor burning, subject to confirmation by the Wythe County Board of Supervisors, effective immediately on this 13th day of April, 2026, at 6 p.m., and authorize the county's public safety and law enforcement agencies to act to enforce this ban.

James D. Smith, Chair
April 13, 2026