Fire officials want residents to be safe for spring fire season [Video]

BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) –It’s been four months since one of the largest wildfires recorded in Virginia. The Matts Creek wildfire burned for weeks in southwest Virginia affecting thousands of acres of land in Bedford County. Crews quickly started restoration efforts, even hand-spreading seed on some of the burned areas to bring it back to life.

While the cause of the fire is still unknown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said the restoration efforts were minimal, and things are already greening up for spring.

However, as spring arrives it brings with it the bloom of flowers and the return of green leafy trees, But it also brings the chance for more wildfires. Spring fire season, Feb. 15 to April 30, has begun — Virginia banning open burning until 4 p.m. statewide.

“We have these warmer temperatures, we have a lot of dormant vegetation some of which has been killed by frost, and we also have a …