BLAND COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) — Bland County authorities have declared a local emergency to ban open-air burning due to “the extreme fire danger” amid the current weather conditions.

According to the Bland County Sheriff’s Office, there have been multiple forest fires and brush fires in the county recently due to dry and windy weather.

Starting at noon on Thursday, May 12, officials say open-air burning is banned in Bland County until further notice.

However, the county is expected to see some rainfall in the coming days, so if conditions improve by then, authorities say the burn ban will be lifted.