507 Wildland Fires Have Burned 5,010 Acres in Virginia;
34 Percent Increase in Acres Burned During Same Period Last Year

Thirty-four percent more wooded acres have burned so far this year than during the same period in 2006, according to the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF). Since January 1st, a total of 5,010 acres have burned this year compared to 3,732 in 2006. And that has forestry officials concerned, because last year was the most active fire season since the year 2000.

“If the trend continues, we could be in for another tough year,” said John Miller, VDOF’s director of resource protection. “While we’ve seen a 12 percent decrease in the number of fires over this time last year, a 34 percent increase in the number of acres burned is something that concerns us.”

In addition, the fires are threatening more homes and other structures. VDOF records show that firefighters have already protected 41 percent more homes and 112 percent more other structures (such as garages, sheds, barns) this year than last year.

“As more and more people move into forested areas – called the Wildland-Urban Interface – it becomes much more difficult to get to and to attack the fires,” Miller said.

Fred Turck, VDOF’s assistant director of resource protection, runs the wildland fire prevention program. He said, “More than 94 percent of all wildland fires in Virginia are human-caused, with the No. 1 reason being the burning of trash or yard debris. This is followed by arson, equipment use, smoking and children. Almost all of the fires were preventable. If people would take the proper precautions, we could greatly reduce the fire threat in Virginia.”

-30-

Fire Data Sheet