02/20/2026
🚨 Don’t let the snow fool you. Virginia’s drought is expanding, and the Southern region is already burning. 🚨
The ground might look damp from recent winter weather, but the underlying reality is critical. State officials have just expanded drought advisories, confirming that surface moisture is deceptive.
Here are the current facts as of late February 2026:
• The Hard Numbers: A drought warning is now in effect for 39 counties and 16 cities across the Commonwealth, with another 44 counties and 15 cities under a drought watch.
• The Snowmelt Illusion: Once the snow vanishes, dead brush and leaves dry out incredibly fast under the spring sun and wind. A wet morning can easily turn into extreme fire danger by the afternoon.
• The Southern Forecast & Current Reality: The National Interagency Fire Center is forecasting above-normal fire potential expanding across the Southern U.S. as we head into March. We are already seeing this worst-case scenario play out—extreme fire weather has triggered widespread Red Flag Warnings, and massive blazes like the 283,000+ acre Ranger Road Fire on the Oklahoma/Kansas border are actively burning, alongside dozens of large, uncontained fires in Texas and Florida.
• 4 PM Burn Law: Because of these rapidly changing conditions and dry fuels, Virginia’s 4 PM Burning Law is strictly enforced.
Conditions are shifting fast. Stay aware, check the wind, and respect the law whether you are doing yard cleanup or managing acreage.
Need help managing fire risk on your property? With over 50 years of combined experience, our team at Blue Ridge Fire Resources LLC specializes in professional land management, hazardous fuel reduction / brush removal, and strategic, safe prescribed burns when the conditions are right.
Reach out today to plan safely!
🌐 www.blue-ridge-fire.com
📞 (434) 609-1579
📍 Serving Virginia
