VIRGINIA GOVERNOR TIM KAINE HAS DECLARED A STATEWIDE EMERGENCY AND ENACTED A BAN ON OPEN FIRES BEGINNING FRIDAY. THE STATEWIDE BURNING BAN IS THE RESULT OF DROUGHT CONDITIONS THAT HAVE CREATED A SERIOUS RISK OF WIDESPREAD AND DANGEROUS FOREST FIRES IN EVERY REGION OF THE COMMONWEALTH. THE GOVERNOR EXPLAINED THAT HE ISSUED THE BAN TO TRY TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF FOREST FIRES THAT COULD THREATEN LIVES AND PROPERTY. THE BURN BAN WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL EXISTING WEATHER CONDITIONS IMPROVE WITH SIGNIFICANT RAIN OR SNOW. VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW IS A CLASS 3 MISDEMEANOR, WITH A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN 500 DOLLARS.