| Contact Information | Date |
|---|---|
| For Immediate Release Contact: John Campbell 434.220.9070 434.989.0665 |
Mar. 21, 2008 VDOF-08011 |
Forest Fires Still a Threat Even as Spring Blooms
As spring has sprung and we move towards spending more time out of doors enjoying the mild temperatures and spring blooms, we need to remember that along with the joys of spring, there are also some dangers. One outdoor danger that is all too common is wildfires.
The Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) has been busy since the historic rash of wildfires during the week of February 10th. There have been an additional 113 fires that have burned another 3,543 acres, and we still have several weeks left in what is Virginia’s traditional spring wildfire season. (Since Jan. 1, 2008, there have been 666 wildfires that have burned a total of 18,017 acres and damaged or destroyed 12 homes.)
In addition, the 4 p.m. law remains in effect until April 30th. This important law prohibits any open burning within 300 feet of woodlands before 4 in the afternoon each day. The law is a prevention tool, and, in combination with the Department of Forestry’s request that everyone be extremely careful with any use of fire even after 4 p.m., we will, hopefully, keep Virginia green.
Fred Turck, VDOF’s assistant director of resource protection, said, “The weather in springtime always amazes me, and it seems to change on a whim – one day sunny and bright, the next day cloudy and cool, and the next day the wind is howling. Weather plays such a critical role in the ability for a wildfire to occur and in the suppression of the fire once it has started. Please keep an eye on the weather. And if a warm, sunny and windy day is predicted, please postpone any outdoor activities, especially debris burning, that may cause a wildfire.”
Soon the woods will be greening up; we will be cutting grass on a regular basis, and the threat of wildfires will be greatly reduced. Until then have an enjoyable and wildfire-free spring.
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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.
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