Virginia
Gusty winds, dry conditions cause elevated fire risk for Virginia – WTOP News
With the D.C.-region’s frigid weather last week, you may have wanted to curl up next to a fire to stay warm. But with dry conditions and gusty winds ahead, officials want you to be careful disposing that fireplace ash.
With the D.C.-region’s recent spout of frigid weather, you may have wanted to curl up next to a fire to stay warm. But with dry conditions and gusty winds ahead, officials want you to be careful disposing that fireplace ash.
The National Weather Service has issued a fire danger message, alerting that dry conditions in Northern and Central Virginia are causing an increased risk for the spread of wildfires this weekend.
Relative humidity will drop to around 25% to 35% late in the afternoon on Sunday. Wind gusts could reach up to 20 to 30 mph, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Anna Stuck.
“It’s a combination of those dry conditions from low relative humidities, lack of rain, drought across the area, and then also those increased winds, gives us a higher threat for the spread of wildfires,” Stuck said.
On Saturday, D.C. Fire and EMS crews battled a large brush fire in Rock Creek Park. It took around 75 personnel to put out the flames, according to a post on X.
Stuck said there are precautions everyone can take to avoid sparking and spreading wildfires.
“Just be mindful around any open flames or anything that could spark, if you’re in the dry area around grass or vegetation especially,” Stuck said.
While under an increased risk for wildfire, NWS has a few recommendations:
- Don’t throw cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle. They may ignite dry grass on the side of the road and produce a wildfire.
- Extinguish all outdoor fires properly. Drown fires with plenty of water and stir to make sure everything is cold to the touch. Dunk charcoal in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoal on the ground and leave it.
- Remember, never leave a fire unattended. Sparks or embers can blow into leaves or grass, ignite a fire, and quickly spread.
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Virginia
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Virginia Delegate Dan Helmer led fellow Democrats to major gains in November’s election. Now he’s turning his attention to the redistricting of the Commonwealth, and a run in the newly proposed 7th district. He joins Sydney Persing on The Final 5 to discuss.
Virginia
Man shot, killed by Virginia trooper ID’d after crash ends in deadly stabbing attack
FAIRFAX, Va. (7News) — Virginia State Police have identified the man who was shot and killed by a trooper after a crash ended in a stabbing attack on Interstate 495 Sunday afternoon.
Jared Llamado, 32, of McLean, died at the hospital on Sunday after he was shot.
RELATED | 2 dead, dog killed after stabbing spree, trooper shooting on I-495 in Fairfax County
Investigators said Llamado was confronted by the trooper who opened fire around 1:17 p.m. The trooper was responding to a report of a road rage incident and found Llamado with a knife, according to a news release.
Four stabbing victims, all women, were also found at the scene, along with a dog that was also stabbed.
Michelle Adams, 39, died from her injuries. The dog also did not survive. The three other women were all taken to the hospital with serious injuries, according to VSP. 7News is not identifying the surviving victims.
Investigators said the stabbings stemmed from a crash in the southbound lanes of I-495.
The trooper who opened fire was not hurt and is on leave pending the outcome of the investigation into the use of force.
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Investigators said they do not believe the attack is connected to terrorism.
Virginia
Two dead after I-495 road rage incident leads to stabbing, Virginia State Police shooting – WTOP News
A road rage incident led to a shooting involving the Virginia State Police on Sunday on Interstate 495. Four individuals were also stabbed.
Two people are dead Sunday in Annandale, Virginia, after a road rage incident led to a shooting involving Virginia State Police on Interstate 495.
A release issued by the Virginia State Police said a trooper fatally shot a man after responding to a report of a road rage incident on the southbound lanes of I-495 just before 1:30 p.m. at exit 52, near the Little River Turnpike.
The man, transferred to a hospital with serious injuries, has been pronounced dead. VSP said the trooper shot in self-defense after the man confronted him with a knife.
The trooper did not suffer any injuries during the altercation.
Officials found four stabbing victims at the scene, but only identified a 39-year-old woman and a dog. Both the woman and the dog died.
Early findings suggest the stabbings took place after a crash on the Capital Beltway. The crash remains under investigation.
The VSP’s release comes after the main lanes of the Capital Beltway Outer Loop, before Little River Turnpike, were closed to traffic for several hours, only recently opening the express lanes. Main lanes between Arlington Boulevard and the Little River Turnpike remain closed.
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