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Forest fires are springtime threat
As spring has sprung and everyone moves towards spending more time outdoors enjoying the mild temperatures and spring blooms, one needs to remember that along with the joys of spring, there are also some dangers. One outdoor danger all too common is wildfires.
The Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) has been busy since the historic rash of wildfires during the week of Feb. 10. There have been an additional 113 fires that have burned another 3,543 acres, and there are still 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 across the commonwealth.
In addition, the 4 p.m. burn law remains in effect until April 30. This important law prohibits any open burning within 300 feet of woodlands before four in the afternoon each day. The law is a prevention tool in combination with the Department of Forestry’s request that everyone be extremely careful with any use of fireafter 4 p.m.
“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," said Fred Turck, VDOF’s assistant director of resource protection.
"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.”
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