Virginia’s fall fire season is officially here. The Virginia Department ofForestry (DOF) is implementing several proactive measures to prepare for the fall wildfire season. Wildland firefighters are assigned to every county across Virginia to work with local fire departments throughout the season.
Recent record-breaking fire seasons resulted in 156 fires burning nearly 25,000 acres in the fall, and 411
fires burning 20,000 acres last spring. The last time Virginia experienced such damaging fire seasons was
over 30 years ago. From now until Nov. 30, the Forestry Department asks that residents to take extra caution when engaging in
activities that involve fire, such as burning yard debris, having campfires or using backyard fire pits.
Forestry offiicials say while Hurricane Helene provided ample moisture to reduce the longer-term drought threat in the western half of the Commonwealth, longer-term drought concerns persist in the eastern areas of the state as well as the northern portions of the Shenandoah Valley.
Virginia’s 10-year average for wildfire occurrence is 600 wildfires burning 9,000 acres. “It may surprise some to learn that the majority of wildfires are caused by people, with escaped burningndebris being the biggest offender,” said DOF Chief of Fire and Emergency Response John Miller. “Because these fires are accidental, this means they are also preventable.
Use Extra Care with Outdoor Burning
The leading cause of wildfires in Virginia is carelessness associated with outdoor burning. An unattended fire or a discarded cigarette can quickly spread into the dry “fuels” (dead leaves and other debris) that are so prevalent each fall. It only takes a few days of dry, windy conditions combined with fallen leaves for an escaped fire to turn into a significant wildfire.
Nine out of 10 wildfires are initiated by people, with escaped debris being the leading cause. Whilethese fires are largely accidental, there are ways they can be prevented. Refer to these tips to prevent the spread of and reduce the number of wildfires each year:
• Avoid having a fire on dry, windy days
• Keep burn piles small and in flat areas, far from flammable vegetation
• Keep a rake/shovel and a water source nearby (e.g. hose, bucket of water)
• Have your phone ready to call 911 in case of emergency
• Stay with your fire until it is completely out (drown, stir, ensure it’s cool, repeat as necessary)
• Completely soak cigarettes before disposing them in a trash can
