| Contact Information | Date |
|---|---|
| For Immediate Release Contact: John Campbell 434.220.9070 or 434.989.0665 |
Sept. 15, 2009 VDOF 09029 |
Arsonist Torches VDOF Fire Vehicle; Reward Offered
As fall fire season approaches, it’s going to be a bit more difficult to respond to a wildfire in Franklin County after someone intentionally set fire to the cab of a vehicle the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) uses to transport its fireplow.
On Friday evening (Sept. 11th), Agency personnel secured the vehicle on a tract of forestland in preparation for a prescribed burn scheduled for Monday, Sept. 14th. The land is near the intersection of Sontag Road and Goode Mountain Road (approximately eight miles southeast of Rocky Mount and about 2 miles in on Goode Mountain Road). On Saturday, officials were contacted by the landowner who reported the fire damage to the 2007 Sterling transport vehicle. The vehicle is a total loss.
The VDOF has posted a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons involved. Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s office at 540 483-3000 or 540 483-6626; the Franklin County Anonymous Crime Number at 540 483-6620; the Virginia State Police at 540 375-9547 and ask to leave a message for Special Agent Garland Snead, or the Western Region VDOF office at 540 387-5461 – extension 229 – Ed Stoots.
“This criminal act only endangers the people of Franklin County,” said Ed Stoots, VDOF’s regional forester for western Virginia. “Without the transport, we can’t get the fireplow to the scene of a wildland fire. People’s lives and their property are at risk.”
Evidence gathered at the scene indicates the fire was intentionally set. The fire burned so hot, it melted the vehicle’s two front tires and everything in the cab, including the emergency radio. Officers from the Virginia State Police and the Franklin County Sheriff’s office are investigating.
“Anytime someone intentionally damages or destroys the Commonwealth’s emergency response equipment, it can be viewed as an act of domestic terrorism,” Stoots said. “But we’re confident that the investigation will bring this person or persons to justice.”
Until the transport can be replaced, Franklin County wildland fires will be covered by units from adjoining counties or until another temporary replacement can be found. This effectively lowers the response time and increases the threat to lives and property within the county.
High-resolution images: Burned transport 1 | Burned transport 2 | New transport with dozer
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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.
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