Fire Forces Temporary Closure of Freedom Park, Burn Ban in York and JCC

By Desiree Parker Friday, September 17, 2010

James City County’s Freedom Park is temporarily closed due to an early morning brush fire, which coincides with officials in both James City and York counties to announce an immediate county-wide burn ban.

The fire, located over one to two acres in a remote area of the Park, was reported to safety officials by a jogger in the Park at 7:05 a.m. Friday and was 75 percent contained as of 10 a.m.

Fire crews have contained the fire, which involved about five acres of park land located at 5535 Centerville Road. They are working with the Virginia Department of Forestry and will monitor the affected area throughout the night and into tomorrow morning. Residents are advised that smoke is likely to remain in the area for a few days.

The park will remain closed until at least tomorrow morning. For more information, call the James City parks and recreation hotline at 259-3237.

The county-wide ban in both James City and York applies to all fires including burn barrels, recreational fires and fires in established fire pits at approved campgrounds or on private property. The use of gas and propane self-contained stoves and barbecues are not included in the ban. The ban will remain in effect until the area receives more rain and conditions improve.

Officials evaluate the risk of fire for residents based on the Cumulative Severity Index. This number accurately describes the amount of moisture that is missing from the area; a rating of zero defines a point of no moisture deficiency and a rating of 800 defines the maximum moisture deficiency possible.

James City County's Cumulative Severity Index is currently above 660; York's is at 640. As a point of reference, a normal index for our area would be approximately 100. Other factors, such as wind, temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric stability also play a major role in determining the actual fire danger.

For more information, contact James City Chief Tal Luton at 871-3034 or District Chief Bob Ryalls at 876-5051. In York, contact the Department of Fire and Life Safety weekdays between 8:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 890-3600.