Virginia Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Virginia - May 19, 2026

Overview

Virginia is currently experiencing an elevated wildfire risk due to widespread and worsening drought conditions across the Commonwealth. The entire state is now under a drought watch or warning, with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Drought Monitoring Task Force recently expanding the drought warning advisory to 94 counties and 33 cities. This prolonged dry spell has left soil, pastures, and vegetation parched, increasing the potential for wildfires despite the recent end of the traditional spring fire season.
The current National Preparedness Level is 2, indicating that while multiple geographic areas are experiencing wildland fire activity, national resources are currently sufficient to manage the incidents without severe strain.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Over the last 72 hours, new fire activity across Virginia has been managed effectively by initial attack crews, keeping new starts small. Year-to-date, the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) has responded to 524 wildfires that have burned approximately 5,388 acres. Currently, there are no massive, uncontained wildfires threatening communities, but firefighters remain in a heightened state of readiness due to the ongoing drought warnings and unseasonably warm conditions.

Key Fires:
There are currently no large-scale, uncontained significant fires in Virginia. Crews are actively monitoring localized initial attack incidents and quickly suppressing them. These smaller fires are primarily being fueled by dry grasses, dead leaves, and other tree litter left over from the winter and dried out by the current drought.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management:
The statewide 4 PM Burning Law officially ended on April 30. However, due to the expanded drought warnings, land managers are carefully evaluating conditions before conducting any burns. Some local municipalities, such as Orange County and Appomattox County, have recently lifted temporary local burn bans following isolated rain showers, but officials continue to urge extreme caution. Residents are reminded that any open burning must be attended at all times and performed in a safe manner.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: Conditions across Virginia today are sunny and hot, with high temperatures expected to reach near 90°F. The National Weather Service in Sterling has recently highlighted periods of elevated fire danger driven by critically low 10-hour fuel moistures (8 to 10 percent), relative humidity dropping to around 25 percent, and gusty winds up to 30-35 mph.
Forecasted Weather: A cold front is expected to impact the region by Wednesday and Thursday, bringing much-needed chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms. This incoming precipitation should help raise humidity levels and temporarily alleviate some of the immediate fire danger. Until the rain arrives, the combination of dry fuels and hot daytime temperatures requires continued vigilance.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are advised to exercise extreme caution with any outdoor activities that could create sparks. It is crucial to properly dispose of cigarette butts in approved containers, secure tow chains to prevent sparking against rocks or pavement, and keep vehicles off dry grass, as the heat from exhaust pipes can easily ignite dry vegetation.
Resource Allocation: The Virginia Department of Forestry monitors weather and fuel conditions on a daily basis to estimate the expected level of wildfire activity. Agencies are maintaining a high state of readiness to ensure that any new fire starts are met with a rapid initial attack to prevent spread.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov
Virginia Department of Forestry: dof.virginia.gov

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.