[an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]
Contact Information Date
For Immediate Release
Contact: Gregg O’Donnell 434.220.9098 or 434.989.0665		 October 10, 2008
VDOF-08030

Fall Fire Season Begins Wednesday, Oct. 15

Shorter days and cooler nights are sure signs that autumn has arrived.  And that means wildland fire season in Virginia begins Wednesday, October 15th.

Officials with the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) remind everyone to be careful with outdoor fire any time of year but especially during the fall and spring seasons when the risk of a fire escaping is greatest.

John Miller, director of resource protection, said, “Fall fire season runs through November 30th.  Each autumn, after the leaves turn color, they dry out and fall to the ground creating ‘fuel’ for a wildland fire.  As humidity levels drop and winds increase this time of year, it doesn’t take long for a fire to escape.”

Already this year, Virginia has had more acres burn than in each individual year during the last 45 years.  From Jan. 1, 2008 to Oct. 7, 2008, there have been 1,243 wildland fires that have burned 25,734 acres of privately owned land in the Commonwealth.  (For comparison sake, during an average year in Virginia 1,270 fires burn a total of 10,500 acres.)

VDOF records indicate that humans cause more than 95 percent of wildland fires – the bulk of which are preventable.

In addition to taking safety precautions to prevent a debris burn, campfire, or hot ashes from a woodstove or fireplace from escaping and becoming a wildland fire, Miller also noted that motorists should also avoid parking their vehicles in piles of dry leaves.  “The undercarriage of a recently driven vehicle is hot enough to ignite a fire that will not only burn the leaves below but the vehicle as well,” he said.  “Pay attention to your surroundings and keep an eye on the weather so that you don’t become a wildland fire statistic.”

-30-

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 184,000 Virginians employed in forestry, forest products and related industries, Virginia forests provide more than $27 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]