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Board rescinds April burn ban after safety outlook improves
Summary
Citing recent precipitation and favorable forecasts, the Smyth County Board voted to rescind the April 16 local emergency burn ban and authorized filing notice with the governor.
At the July 9 meeting, the Smyth County Board adopted a resolution rescinding a burn ban that had been declared as a local emergency on April 16, 2026. County staff said the decision follows consultation with the Public Safety Advisory Committee and recent precipitation that reduced the fire hazard; the resolution directs County Administration to notify the Governor of Virginia that the local emergency is rescinded.
The read resolution recited the original declaration under §44-146.21 of the Code of Virginia and noted the rollback to the Virginia Department of Forestry’s "4pm Burning Law" requirements on May 28. Rye Valley District Supervisor Jason Parris moved to approve the rescission as a time-sensitive agenda addition and the board voted to rescind the declaration unanimously (Supervisor Ratliff absent).
