Prince George County officials announced on April 29 a temporary countywide burn ban, prohibiting all open-air burning, including yard waste disposal and campfires. The measure was adopted by the Board of Supervisors following recommendations from Prince George County Fire and EMS in response to recent dry weather and high winds.
The burn ban is intended to prevent uncontrolled fires that could threaten lives and property. The emergency ordinance supersedes the annual statewide burn law, which normally restricts open-air burning between midnight and 4 p.m. through April 30.
“With conditions as dry as they are, even a small spark can turn into a major fire,” said Pedro Caceres, Chief of Prince George County Fire & EMS. “Until weather conditions improve, this temporary ban is necessary to prevent dangerous and costly fires and keep our community safe.”
Robert “Bobby” Cox, Jr., Chairman of the Prince George County Board of Supervisors, said: “Safety is our top priority. We’re asking everyone to do their part to protect our community by complying with the burn ban and being careful with any activity that could generate sparks.”
Residents are urged to use caution when operating machinery or handling ignition sources such as cigarettes or matches. All smoking materials should be fully extinguished before disposal. Dry grass, leaves, or debris can catch fire easily; parking vehicles on dry grass or leaving outdoor equipment running unattended should be avoided. Any signs of smoke or fire should be reported immediately by calling 911.
Additional safety steps include clearing debris around structures and postponing outdoor grinding or metal work until conditions improve. Residents who typically burn trash are advised to use the Prince George County Convenience Center at 3100 Union Branch Road South for waste disposal while the ban remains in effect.
According to the Virginia Department of Education, Prince George County Public Schools District enrolled 6,181 students during the 2023-24 school year—a rise of 1.2% from the previous year’s total enrollment of 6,106 students.
The same source reports that white students made up the largest ethnic group in county schools at nearly half (44.7%) with Black students accounting for just over thirty percent (30.4%).
Prince George High School had the highest enrollment among seven local schools with 1,818 students during this period according to official data. North Elementary School enrolled both the largest number of pre-kindergarten (46) and kindergarten (119) students in the district during this time frame as reported by state education records.