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Smyth County board ratifies emergency total burn ban amid elevated wildfire risk
Summary
Following a committee recommendation and an administratively issued declaration, the board voted to ratify a countywide total burn ban for outdoor burning because of drought‑related wildfire risk; supervisors discussed scope and containment exceptions before approving the motion.
The Smyth County Board of Supervisors ratified an emergency declaration implementing a total ban on outdoor burning as drought conditions elevated wildfire risk.
County Administrator Ed told the board that, after committee discussion, he had issued the burn ban administratively to avoid delay. "So this 1 is actually a total burn ban," he said, noting that officials considered contained burning rules but opted for a full restriction because flying ash could ignite fires.
After a motion and second to ratify the declaration, the board voted in favor and the motion carried. Supervisors asked clarifying questions about whether small contained burns (for example, in a permitted barrel) would be permitted; the county administrator confirmed the county intended this action as a total burn ban with limited exceptions for contained activity per state guidance.
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