Arsonists Setting Southwest Virginia on Fire

Southwest Virginia is dealing with a rash of arson fires that are threatening the lives and property of area residents. According to law enforcement officials at the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF), arsonists in Southwest Virginia have intentionally set 20 fires that burned 2,000 acres – mostly in the counties of Buchanan, Lee and Scott – so far this year.

Because of the lack of rain, low humidity, high winds and mountainous terrain, the arson fires spread quickly and pose great danger to anyone or anything in their path.

“Any time a wildfire is set, it can cause unbelievable destruction to land, trees and homes and endanger lives,” said Ed Stoots, VDOF’s regional forester in Abingdon. “In addition, when we are working an arson fire, the fire fighters and their equipment are not available to suppress other wildland fires. This puts more people and their property at risk.”

Woods arson is the common term for deliberately burning forests, grasslands, or brush without the owner’s permission. The Virginia Department of Forestry and other law enforcement officials are concerned with the increase in these dangerous, destructive and senseless criminal acts. Woods arson is felony in Virginia and, when convicted, the guilty person could serve up to five years in prison, pay a fine of $2,500 and be liable for the cost of suppressing the fire.

The Virginia Department of Forestry needs citizens to be vigilant in the fight against this crime. If you see something suspicious, call 911 or your local Sheriff’s office and report it immediately. Your help may be worth up to $2,000 – the reward offered for information that leads to the conviction of an arsonist.

What can you do to protect yourself, your property and your community? If you see any fire that firefighters have not yet arrived on the scene, make note of the following:

• Location and time of the fire
• Description of persons observed in the area
• Description of any vehicles observed and the license plate if possible
• Any other pertinent information

"We need the public's help to catch the people who set the woods on fire,” Stoots said. “Please call your local Forestry Department or Sheriff’s office with any information no matter how insignificant you might feel it is. Your information may be just the piece of the puzzle that helps us put an end to these criminal acts.”

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The Virginia Department of Forestry protects and develops healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians. Headquartered in Charlottesville, there are Forestry staff members assigned to every county to provide service to citizens of the Commonwealth. VDOF is an equal opportunity provider.

With nearly 16 million acres of forest land and more than 184,000 Virginians employed in forestry, forest products and related industries, Virginia forests provide more than $29 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth.