Governor declares emergency; burn warnings issued

Do not burn anything outdoors.

That is the urgent warning from authorities tonight as a wave of wind-driven fires continues across the region.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has declared a state of emergency in Virginia, directing state agencies to take all necessary actions to aid in the response to multiple wildfires that have broken out across the commonwealth.

In addition, the governor has authorized activation of Virginia National Guard personnel and equipment to assist with the wildfires.

The National Weather Service has extended a wind advisory for southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina as strong gusts continue to sweep across the area.

The advisory, posted at noon, was to have expired at 6 p.m. But it has now been extended to 8 p.m. Winds are expected to subside tonight, but slowly, the Weather Service cautioned this evening.

Area fire officials are urging people to refrain from any outdoor burning, noting that the series of blazes has destroyed homes, apartment buildings and consumed untold acres of brush across the region today. 

"This is no time to be conducting any outside burning whatsoever," said Capt Steve Johnson, a spokesman for the Chesapeake Fire Department. "It is extremely hazardous. Right now, we are having a flurry of brush fires,” he said about 5:30 p.m. 

He said winds in the area were gusting at between 45 mph and 50 mph, making it easy for even the smallest fire to quickly get out of control.

He said crews in the region are being stretched to near their limits, not only with the large number of ongoing fires, but also to handle other calls, many relating to high winds.

There have been numerous reports of live power lines being brought down by felled tree limbs and there are also reports of damage from trees and limbs falling on structures. 

Crews in Chesapeake battled a wind-driven fire, sparked by woodstove ashes that were discarded in a back yard. It destroyed a home and sparked a blaze in dry brush that, for a time, was racing toward nearby homes.

"The first fire officer on the scene here said he noticed light smoke coming from a corner of the house," as they arrived. But within moments, it had "rolled over one acre and spread into three acres" before being doused.

In addition to not burning any debris or using any fire source outdoors, such as grills, Johnson warned area residents to take special care in their disposal of fireplace ashes.

"Put them in a non-combustible container with a cover," he said. "These ashes are dangerous for up to three days."