West Virginia Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for West Virginia - August 14, 2026

Overview

West Virginia is currently experiencing a period of significant precipitation and unsettled weather, which has drastically reduced the wildfire risk across the state. August falls outside of the state's statutory peak fire seasons, which occur in the spring (March 1 - May 31) and fall (October 1 - December 31). Recent weather patterns have brought heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, keeping vegetation and forest fuels heavily saturated. While the wildfire threat is currently very low, the heavy rains have introduced new weather-related hazards, such as localized flash flooding.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Over the last 72 hours, there have been no significant active wildland fires reported in West Virginia. The combination of high humidity and ongoing rainfall has kept the potential for new significant wildfires well below normal for this time of year.

Key Fires: There are currently no large, active wildfires burning in West Virginia. Typical fuels in the region, such as hardwood leaf litter, timber, and brush, are currently saturated by the recent rains, preventing any significant fire spread. Any small, localized brush fires that occur are being rapidly contained by local volunteer fire departments and the West Virginia Division of Forestry.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: Recent legislative updates to the state's prescribed fire program (Senate Bill 886) have expanded the ability of certified managers to conduct controlled burns on private property to improve forest health, enhance wildlife habitats, and reduce future wildfire risks. In the Monongahela National Forest, land management and infrastructure projects are ongoing; visitors should note upcoming construction at the Tea Creek Campground and ongoing closures on Forest Road 19.

Air Quality: Air quality across West Virginia remains good to excellent, with no significant smoke impacts from local or regional wildfires at this time.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: The last 72 hours have brought high humidity, scattered showers, and thunderstorms to the region, aiding in keeping the fire danger low.

Forecasted Weather: The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for parts of southeast West Virginia, including Mercer, Summers, Monroe, and Greenbrier counties. An increased risk of severe storms is expected through the weekend, bringing threats of damaging winds and localized flash flooding. While the heavy rainfall will assist in dampening fire fuels, erratic and damaging winds from severe thunderstorms could pose a risk of downing trees and powerlines. No Red Flag Warnings or Fire Weather Watches are currently issued for the state.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are advised to monitor local weather alerts for flash flooding and damaging winds. For those choosing to burn yard debris, please note that while the strict daytime burning prohibitions are not currently in effect, standard safety regulations still apply. Any outdoor fires must have a safety strip cleared of burnable material that is at least 10 feet wide, and fires must be attended until completely extinguished.

Resource Allocation: With local fire activity at a minimum, state forestry and emergency management agencies are focusing on severe weather response, flood monitoring, and preparing for the upcoming fall statutory fire season, which begins October 1.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
West Virginia Division of Forestry: wvforestry.com
West Virginia Emergency Management Division: emd.wv.gov

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.