Roanoke, Va. – A combination of heat, dry air, and steady wind could allow fires to ignite and spread rapidly across southwest Virginia within hours Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, relative humidity will drop between 20 and 30 percent while southwest winds gust near 20 mph through 7 p.m. Temperatures rising into the 80s are drying out grasses and leaf litter, especially along the I-81 and US-460 corridors from Roanoke to Blacksburg and into the New River Valley.
Communities including Salem, Christiansburg, Pulaski, and Wytheville face elevated risk during peak afternoon heating. In more rural areas like Floyd, Patrick, and Bath counties, fires could spread quickly through wooded terrain and open fields if sparked.
Residents are urged to avoid activities that could create sparks, including using machinery on dry grass or improperly discarding cigarettes. Vehicles parked on dry vegetation can also ignite fires under these conditions.
Open burning remains prohibited before 4 p.m. statewide through April, and officials stress that even small flames can escape control quickly. Elevated fire danger continues through Sunday evening, with additional alerts possible if conditions worsen.
