Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.
Today is Sunday, October 19, 2025.
#1 – From WV STATE PARKS: Mansion by Candlelight Restores 18th-Century Illumination
Blennerhassett Island State Park invites guests to Mansion by Candlelight, when the mansion and grounds are lit only by candles and lanterns, transporting visitors back to early 1800s charm. Package tickets include a sternwheeler ride, horse-drawn wagon tour, and evening performances in period dress. wvstateparks.com. It’s one of the few nights all year you can experience the mansion in its original glow.
Read more: wvstateparks.com/an-enchanted-candlelit-evening-awaits-on-blennerhassett-island-this-october
#2 – From WV FORESTRY: WV’s Fire Laws Take Effect With Fall Fire Season
West Virginia’s fall fire season runs October through December — and outdoor burning is restricted to the hours 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. only. During the restricted window, all fires must be fully attended, confined within a cleared safety strip at least 10 feet wide, and extinguished by dawn. Violations — including escapes or unattended blazes — can carry fines up to $1,000 plus liability for firefighting costs.
Learn more:
wvforestry.com/fire-laws/
#3 – From WV EXPLORER: STIHL Grant Boosts Tree Safety in State Parks
The West Virginia State Parks Foundation has secured a $17,500 “Hearts of STIHL” grant to remove dead, hazardous trees at Bluestone and North Bend parks. Priority will go to areas near trails, cabins, and guest facilities, improving both safety and scenic integrity. It’s part of ongoing efforts to maintain park lands and protect visitors from storm-damaged or aging trees.
Read more:
wvexplorer.com/2025/10/11/west-virginia-state-parks-stihl/
Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.
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That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.