Eastern West Virginia is on fire. Days of dry, windy weather supported wildfires that have burned thousands of acres, particularly in Berkeley, Hardy, Hampshire, Morgan and Pendleton counties.

According to Assistant State Forester Linda Carnell, who spoke with West Virginia Public Broadcasting, there are local fire departments in all affected counties and some neighboring counties fighting the blazes. Of course, Division of Forestry employees are there, too.

Carnell described significant structural damage, in addition to the damaged forest land.

“It’s been pretty devastating just within these few days, especially once you start losing structures,” she told WVPB.

Though it should go without saying, as there is a statewide ban on outdoor fires in Ohio between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., March through November, Carnell said “Refrain from any type of burning outside till we get significant precipitation.”

Carnell said springtime and its potentially rough, windy weather can bring two common causes: intentionally set fires that get out of control and spread, and tree branches falling onto power lines.

While not all potential causes of these fires are within human control, many are. We must follow the rules and use common sense to avoid damage to the landscape, loss of structures and risk to the firefighters who are working hard to save it all.

Smokey is right: Only you can prevent wildfires.