Stuarts Draft Volunteer Fire Company

05/30/2026

Get ready for the 2026 Lawn Party! August 6, 7, and 8th

04/17/2026

Public Safety Announcement: Open Burning Advisory

Due to ongoing drought, high temperatures, low humidity, and dry vegetation, our area is at an increased risk for wildfires.

Please avoid ALL open burning at this time, including debris, brush, and leaves. Even small fires can quickly become dangerous under current conditions.

Help keep our community safe:
• Do not burn outdoors until conditions improve
• Properly dispose of smoking materials
• Avoid activities that create sparks (welding, equipment use in dry grass)
• Report any smoke or fire immediately

While this is not currently a burn ban, conditions are being closely monitored.

Your cooperation is critical in preventing wildfires and protecting lives, property, and natural resources.

02/15/2026

We want to remind everyone about the annual 4:00 PM Burn Law in Virginia, which is in effect each year from February 15 through April 30.
During this period, no open-air burning is permitted before 4:00 PM if the fire is within 300 feet of woodland, brush, or dry grass that could carry fire. After 4:00 PM, burning is allowed only if the fire is attended at all times and completely extinguished before leaving it.
Even though we’ve recently had snow melt and rain, we are currently experiencing drought conditions. The moisture you see on the surface can be misleading. Fine fuels such as leaves, pine needles, and dead grass dry out very quickly—sometimes within just a few hours of sunshine and wind. These are the fuels that cause fires to spread rapidly.
🔥 Why this matters:
A lot of wildfires in our area are caused by escaped debris burns. What starts as a small, controlled burn can quickly get out of hand when winds pick up and dry fuels ignite.
Before you burn:
Check current local restrictions
Have water and tools on hand
Never leave a fire unattended
Consider safer alternatives like hauling debris or chipping
If you see a fire that appears unattended or out of control, call 911 immediately.
Let’s work together to keep our community safe this spring. Stay safe and burn responsibly. 🚒

01/26/2026

Info from VDOT regarding road conditions and low overnight temperatures

Roads to Refreeze in Overnight Single-Digit Temps
VDOT Crews Continue to Plow, Treat Snow-Covered Roads

STAUNTON (4:25 p.m.) – A hard refreeze of roadways in the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands is likely most nights this week, as temperatures plummet into the single digits and low teens. Many subdivision and secondary roads remain snow- and ice-covered.

VDOT crews and contractors made progress in plowing and treating roads during the day on Monday as temperatures rose to near freezing, and road conditions are improving. Still, motorists should continue to avoid travel that is not critical.

Vehicle traffic packs down the snow and ice even further, creating additional challenges for the snowplows.

With the refreezing this week, motorists should watch for icy conditions – even on roads that have exposed pavement.

Here are the conditions as of 4:25 p.m. on Monday in the VDOT Staunton District:

Interstate 81 – Clear conditions in Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Warren, Frederick and Rockbridge counties.

Interstate 64 – Clear conditions in Alleghany, Augusta and Rockbridge counties.

Interstate 66 – Clear conditions in Warren County.

Primary Roads – Minor conditions, Augusta, Bath, Clarke, Frederick, Highland, Page, Rockingham and Warren counties. Clear conditions in Alleghany, Rockbridge, and Shenandoah counties.

Secondary Roads – Moderate conditions in Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Highland, Page, Rockbridge and Rockingham counties. Minor conditions in Clarke, Frederick, Shenandoah and Warren counties.

For road-condition updates and travel information visit the 511 Virginia website, download the mobile app or dial 511. Motorists should check their entire route as conditions will vary throughout the Commonwealth. 511 Virginia shows road conditions on a color-coded map and in county-by-county text listings. Conditions are defined as:

· Minor – bare pavement except for isolated spots of snow, ice or slush.
· Moderate – snow or ice on major portions of the road.
· Severe – drifting or partially blocked road.
· Closed – road is closed to all traffic.

The VDOT Customer Service Center operates 24/7 to help roadway users report potential hazards, make service requests or get information related to Virginia’s transportation network. Use its mobile friendly website or call 800-367-7623.

The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties. Follow the Staunton District on Facebook and X.

The VDOT website has winter weather travel tips, news releases, and links to social media accounts for VDOT districts throughout the Commonwealth.

01/24/2026

🚨 Winter Storm Safety Reminder 🚨

The Stuarts Draft Volunteer Fire Company would like to remind everyone to prepare for the upcoming winter storm and to stay safe during the cold weather conditions expected in the coming days.

⚠️ Generator Safety

Never run generators inside your home, garage, or near doors or windows.

Generators should be operated outdoors only, at least 20 feet away from buildings.

Be sure you have working carbon monoxide (CO) detectors

🔥 Auxiliary & Supplemental Heat Safety

Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including furniture, curtains, and bedding.

Never leave heaters unattended or running while you sleep.

Use only heaters that have automatic shut-off and tip-over protection.

Do not use ovens, grills, or outdoor heating devices to heat your home.

🕯️ General Cold Weather Tips

Check on elderly neighbors and those with limited mobility.

Keep flashlights handy and avoid using candles when possible.

Make sure chimneys and vents are clear of snow and ice.

Your safety is our priority. Taking a few extra precautions now can prevent fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other emergencies during the storm.

If you experience an emergency, dial 911 immediately.

Please share this message to help keep our community safe. Stay warm and stay safe! ❄️🚒

11/17/2025

There is an elevated fire risk again today. Please don't attempt to burn anything today.

11/16/2025

Very concerning, critical fire weather today
I think you're going to notice those gusts picking up around noon, and into the afternoon. Gusts 40-50mph and we can have a few stronger
So far we already have a handful of 40+ gusts
Use extreme caution
This means no burning at all. Avoid driving on a dry ground or pulling over on grass. If you have a burned wood or ash pile add more water to make sure there are no smouldering embers.
We can see a few trees down and power outages.

Temps will be dropping this afternoon. Please share, let's hope we can make it through today without any major fire issues.

11/16/2025

There is higher chance of rapid fire spread today due to wind and low humidity. Please refrain from burning and be cautious when disposing of ashes, ci******es, and any other hot materials.

09/28/2025

Keep our friends at Middlebrook Volunteer Fire Department in your thoughts as they mourn the loss of one of their own.

The membership of MVFD mourns the loss of Firefighter and previous treasurer William "Bill" Brubeck. Bill faithfully served Middlebrook for decades as a firefighter and first responder. He provided wisdom and insight to the members in all things, and diligently handled the finances of MVFD, which has vastly contributed to the department's success. We pray for his family and all that will miss him and his guidance.

Rest easy Firefighter Brubeck, we will take it from here.

08/17/2025

We can't thank everyone enough for your support at this years lawn party. From everyone that bought food, played games, and donated prizes to all of the community members that helped cook and sell chicken, donate desserts, or work in the kitchen. It takes the entire community to make it successful, and the Stuarts Draft community made it happen! THANK YOU!!!