Virginia is lifting a ban on open burning. Governor Tim Kaine says while the statewide ban is being lifted, local restrictions still may apply. The ban was instituted last month when drought conditions plagued most of the state. Kaine says without the ban, Virginia could have had as many as 1,500 wildfires during the six-week fall fire season. Instead, There were 118 fires that burned a total of 855 acres. At least 18 of those fires were caused by people violating the burn ban. Forestry officials continue to stress that lifting the ban does not mean the threat of wildfire is gone.