2008 Ends With Record Fire Numbers

Fire officials with the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) reveal that 2008 saw a 130 percent increase in acres burned across the state as the number of fires decreased 12.4 percent. The agency logged 1,322 fires that burned 25,704 acres. Records show 1,509 fires burned 11,200 acres during 2007. Sixteen homes were damaged last year.

Virginia saw the worst fire day in memory Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. High winds across the state whipped up 354 fires that burned more than 16,000 acres.

"Several of these numbers set a record for Virginia," said John Miller, Virginia Department of Forestry's director of resource protection. "We hope there won't be another one-day record-setter this year."

Debris burning and improper disposal of hot ashes increase the risk of wildfires during the winter months, when low humidities combined with plentiful dry grass and leaves can provide fuel to help escaped fires spread quickly.

Miller reminds everyone that just because the "official" spring fire season doesn't start until February 15, it doesn't mean that wildland fires can't still occur - they can. So continue to take great care anytime you use fire in or near Virginia's woodlands. For more information, log on to www.dof.virginia.gov or www.firewisevirginia.org.

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The Virginia Department of Forestry protects and develops healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians. Headquartered in Charlottesville, the Agency has 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 144,000 Virginians employed in forestry, forest products and related industries, Virginia forests provide more than $27.5 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth.