Page County Community the Latest to Earn National Certification as Firewise Communities USA

The Shenandoah Forest community west of Luray, Va., is the latest community in Virginia to earn national accreditation under the Firewise Communities USA program. Shenandoah Forest is the 13th Virginia community and only the 202nd community in the nation to receive this distinction.

A community meeting is planned for 9 a.m. Saturday, April 14th, to mark the achievement (directions are attached). Local officials will be on hand for the formal presentation of the Firewise Communities recognition materials, which include a certificate, identifying signage and lapel pins for the residents.

“Achieving Firewise Community USA certification requires a serious commitment,” said Fred Turck, Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) Firewise program coordinator. “To qualify, communities must develop a wildfire protection plan, conduct a community-wide fire prevention event (such as a debris-clearing day or fire-prevention information fair) and annually invest at least $2 per person in forest fire protection.”

Wildfires pose a serious threat to people and property in Virginia. In just the first four months of this year, more than 750 wildfires have burned more 6,500 acres of land – damaging or destroying six homes and three other structures.

John Miller, VDOF chief of resource protection, said, “The most effective way to address wildfire hazards in residential areas is to put the knowledge and power in the hands of residents and developers. With good information, they can design and implement a wide range of programs and activities that will make their communities less susceptible to the effects of wildfires.”

The VDOF offers numerous, downloadable documents on its Web site (www.firewisevirginia.org) that will help individuals or communities become Firewise. These include homeowner and community risk-assessment forms; a Community Wildfire Protection Plan template, and a model subdivision ordinance that can be used by county planning staffs and developers to lessen the risk posed by wildfire.

For more information about forest fire prevention, call your local VDOF office or visit www.dof.virginia.gov.

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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 providing services to citizens of every county in the Commonwealth. The Agency is an equal opportunity provider.

With nearly 16 million acres of forest land and more than 184,000 Virginians employed in the forest products industry, Virginia forests provide almost $30 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth.

Directions to the Award Ceremony

Shenandoah Forest is located off of Route 211 west of Luray.

Take Rt. 211 west from Luray. Take the first right after crossing the South Fork Shenandoah River (Route 615). Go approximately 2 miles to the entry into Shenandoah Farms, which will be on your left. The meeting will be at the Shenandoah Forest community bath house – off the main road about 1 mile into the subdivision.