| CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – During this year’s fall fire season, which ran from Oct. 15 to Nov. 30, the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) suppressed 152 wildfires that burned 1,733 acres and damaged two outbuildings. DOF response efforts during the fall are credited with protecting 36 homes and 39 other structures with a total value estimated to be over $10 million. For comparison, in the fall of 2024, DOF suppressed 83 wildfires that burned 2,444 acres.
DOF’s wildland firefighters, along with our local, state and federal partners, are always prepared to protect Virginia’s communities and natural resources. Virginia’s fall fire season may be over, but please take it from our experienced firefighters: Wildfires are a year-round threat. Keep your family and community safe this holiday season by following safe practices around fire.
“Although the fall fire season has ended, the threat of wildfire is always present, especially with most of the state registering as moderately or abnormally dry according to the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force,” said Chief of Fire and Emergency Response John Miller. “The leading cause of wildfires remains escaped debris burnng. Even if there are no fire restrictions in place in your area, we encourage those in drought areas to delay all outdoor burning until conditions improve. Please stay informed by following guidance from local officials.”
Remain Safe this Holiday Season
Don’t let a careless mistake ruin the holidays for you, your neighbors and your community. DOF also reminds those with live Christmas trees to follow safe practices for caring for their tree. Learn more at nfpa.org.
Follow these tips when burning debris:
- Check with local officials before burning
- Avoid burning if your locality is in a drought
- Avoid burning on dry, windy days
- Keep your burn pile small
- Stay with your fire until it’s completely out (drown, stir, drown again, ensure it’s cool)
- Have a rake or shovel and charged water hose on hand
- Have a phone ready to call 911 if a fire escapes your control
- Consider a “green” alternative to burning yard debris: compost your organic yard waste
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