Southern West Virginia Faces Elevated Fire Risk

Lack of rain, high winds, and low humidity could fuel more numerous and larger fires in the region.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:19am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of grey, blue, and green, depicting a rugged, mountainous region shrouded in heavy fog and mist, conveying a sense of the overwhelming, sublime scale of the natural world.The looming threat of wildfires hangs over the misty mountains of southern West Virginia as dry conditions and high winds create an elevated fire risk.Beckley Today

The Division of Forestry in West Virginia has warned residents of southern parts of the state to prepare for an elevated fire risk over the next 10 days. Mat Bailey, a regional forester, said the combination of dry conditions, strong winds, and low humidity could lead to an increase in the number and size of wildfires across the area.

Why it matters

Wildfires pose a serious threat to homes, businesses, and natural habitats in the region. The elevated fire risk comes at the start of spring fire season, which typically sees an uptick in blazes. Residents will need to be extra cautious with any outdoor burning or activities that could spark a fire.

The details

Bailey reported that the region has already seen over 100 fires since the start of spring, with Mercer County being the hardest hit so far with 29 fires. Other counties like McDowell, Wyoming, and Fayette have also experienced a high number of blazes. The forester urged residents to hold off on any permitted burning until the elevated risk period has passed.

  • The elevated fire risk is expected to last for at least the next 10 days.
  • Spring fire season has already begun, with over 100 fires reported in the region since the start of the season.

The players

Mat Bailey

A regional forester for the West Virginia Division of Forestry who has warned of the elevated fire risk in southern parts of the state.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Yeah, we're over a hundred fires in this region alone. It just seems like it's every day we're getting three and four. Even on days where we've had rain, we're still getting pockets that don't get rain and we're having fires in those areas.”

— Mat Bailey, Regional Forester, West Virginia Division of Forestry

The takeaway

The combination of dry conditions, high winds, and low humidity in southern West Virginia has created an elevated fire risk that residents will need to be vigilant about in the coming days. Heeding the warnings from forestry officials and refraining from any outdoor burning could help prevent the outbreak of potentially dangerous and destructive wildfires.