West Virginia Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for West Virginia - May 19, 2026

Overview

West Virginia is currently in the final weeks of its statutory Spring Fire Season. Parts of the Mid-Atlantic, particularly West Virginia, have been experiencing long-term drought conditions. This prolonged dryness has led to elevated fire danger across the state, especially on windy days following dry periods. The National Preparedness Level for the region remains at a moderate status, with adequate regional and state resources available to manage current incidents.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Over the last 72 hours, fire crews have continued to manage scattered smaller ignitions across the state. Since the beginning of the year, the West Virginia Division of Forestry has responded to an estimated 475 fires that have burned over 3,000 acres. Human-caused fires remain a significant issue, with approximately 36% of spring fires caused by escaped debris and brush burning. Firefighters are actively suppressing these fires before they threaten significant property or values at risk.

Key Fires:

• Old House Branch Fire: Located in Mingo County, west of Verner, this active fire has burned approximately 300 acres. The fire behavior has included wind-driven runs and torching. It is primarily being fueled by hardwood leaf litter and dry winter-killed vegetation.
• Batoff Fire: Located in Raleigh County, this fire reached 174 acres and is currently 100% contained. Crews have successfully secured the perimeter and are monitoring the area for any remaining hotspots.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: West Virginia's statewide spring burning restrictions remain strictly in effect until May 31. Under state law, outdoor burning is confined to the hours between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., when winds typically die down and humidity rises. All 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. Only vegetative materials such as leaves, brush, and yard clippings are permitted to be burned.

Air Quality: Air quality remains generally good across the state. There are no significant smoke impacts from local wildfires at this time, though residents conducting legal evening debris burns should remain mindful of localized smoke accumulation in low-lying areas.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: Conditions today are partly sunny and warm, with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to mid-80s. While there are currently no Red Flag Warnings in effect, fire weather conditions remain elevated due to the dry fuel beds and ongoing long-term drought.
Forecasted Weather: A significant weather shift is expected over the next 24 to 48 hours. Heavy thunderstorms and widespread rain showers are forecast to move into the region by Wednesday and continue through Thursday. This incoming precipitation will substantially increase relative humidity and help dampen dry fuels, which is expected to lower the fire danger heading into the weekend. However, the Storm Prediction Center notes a risk of scattered dry thunderstorms ahead of the rain, which could temporarily heighten the risk of new fire ignitions due to cloud-to-ground lightning.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: State fire officials urge residents to exercise extreme caution and strictly adhere to the Spring Fire Season restrictions. Even during allowable burning hours (after 5:00 p.m.), sudden wind gusts can blow embers across safety strips. Residents can be cited and held financially responsible for suppression costs if a fire escapes their control.
Resource Allocation: Local forestry districts and initial attack crews remain on high alert and are heavily focused on public education and rapid response to prevent smaller brush fires from spreading into mature timber.

Resources

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

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.