Rural Retreat Volunteer Fire Department

05/05/2026

Virginia's official spring fire season may have ended on April 30, but the ongoing drought and current weather conditions are keeping wildfire risk elevated.🔥📈 The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) reports increased fire danger across most of Virginia today, May 5, due to low humidity and gusty winds. Postpone outdoor burning and use extra caution with all potential ignition sources.

05/05/2026

This Friday!!!

05/02/2026

The Rural Retreat Volunteer Fire Department would like to Thank the Town of Rural Retreat for the upgrades to the Fire Station. The most recent being the new exterior painting. Also, thanks to Lionheart painting for their professional work done to the fire station this past week.

04/29/2026

Training session this evening with some members of Atkins Fire Department joining in on Denver Drill and search and rescue

04/22/2026

This afternoon the Rural Retreat Volunteer Fire Department was Dispatched for a working Structure Fire on Scott Street in Rural Retreat. Upon arrival heavy fire was venting from the front A Side of the residence. Fire attack was made quickly knocking down the fire. However, extensive salvage and overhaul was needed to extinguish all the hot spots to prevent rekindle. There were no injuries, Unfortunately three dogs perished in the fire from smoke inhalation. The American Red Cross is assisting the residents displaced from the fire. Special Thanks to the Atkins Fire Department with their assistance with this fire. Also, thanks to Wythe EMS and Emergency Management, Smyth County medic 6 for their assistance also.

04/13/2026

Declaration of Local Emergency
Wythe County Burn Ban

WHEREAS, as Wythe County Director of Emergency Management, in accordance with §44-146.21 of the Code of Virginia, I have been advised by the county director of emergency services, emergency management coordinator and affiliated agencies regarding consideration of a county-wide ban on outdoor burning; and

WHEREAS, all parts of Wythe County are experiencing abnormally dry conditions, high fire fuel loads, variable wind gust conditions and elevated safety risk to life, property and first responders in the County of Wythe; and

WHEREAS, Wythe County responders have been called to multiple recent brush and grass fires resulting in property damage and threats to persons, livestock and livelihood; and

WHEREAS, adjoining and nearby counties have implemented burn bans after the National Weather Service emplaced advisories against outdoor burning, prompting a need to consider county-wide action; and

WHEREAS, Wythe County is authorized by Virginia Code§ 15.2-922.1 to regulate the making of fires on private property and public places when a declared emergency exists; and,

WHEREAS, the County under§ 44-146.21 may declare a local emergency when the governing body perceives a need to protect the health and safety of persons and property; and,

WHEREAS, also in accordance with § 44-146.21, the governing body, when in its judgment all emergency actions have been taken, shall take appropriate action to end the declared emergency;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, James D. Smith, Chair of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors and by Code the Director of Emergency Management, acting upon the recommendation of fire, emergency management and law enforcement staff, find and declare that a local emergency exists due to fire hazard; and

FURTHERMORE, I do hereby declare an immediate and indefinite ban on outdoor burning, subject to confirmation by the Wythe County Board of Supervisors, effective immediately on this 13th day of April, 2026, at 6 p.m., and authorize the county's public safety and law enforcement agencies to act to enforce this ban.

James D. Smith, Chair
April 13, 2026

04/13/2026

04/07/2026

UPDATE: Service is restored.

Wythe County 911 lines are down. Technicians for our phone and call-handling providers are working to identify and repair the issue.
Text to 911 is also unavailable.

911 calls are being rerouted by a neighboring dispatch center during the outage. You may also use the non-emergency line: 276-227-0382

We will update with more information as it is available.

03/26/2026

Save the Date!! May 8, for the Rural Retreat Volunteer Fire Department Spring BBQ fund raiser. We are now taking orders for BBQ by the pound for restocking your freezer. Just message us for your by the pound order and May 8 we will have our BBQ plates available from 3-till it’s gone with lunch orders available also.

02/03/2026

🌨️ A huge THANK YOU to our amazing Rural Retreat maintenance team! ❄️
You've been putting in long hours and incredible effort through these tough winter storms to keep things running. We know some folks have faced water challenges during this weather—we see you, and our crew is working hard every day to fix issues and get everything back to normal.
To our wonderful residents: thank you for your patience, understanding, and support. We're all in this together! 💙