The Wildland Urban Interface in Virginia in Virginia Fred X. Turck Assistant Director, Resource Protection Virginia Department of Forestry

A wildfire risk ? This is VIRGINIA not California ! Many Virginians are generally unaware that wildfire can threaten their forestland, their homes and themselves. Many Virginians are generally unaware that wildfire can threaten their forestland, their homes and themselves.

Wildfire in Virginia 1200 wildfires per year 1200 wildfires per year 11,000 acres burned per year 11,000 acres burned per year Most wildfires in Virginia are kept small due to rapid response by Fire Departments working cooperatively with the Department of Forestry. Most wildfires in Virginia are kept small due to rapid response by Fire Departments working cooperatively with the Department of Forestry.

Local Response Nearly every wildfire incident in the Commonwealth is initial attacked by the local response forces. Nearly every wildfire incident in the Commonwealth is initial attacked by the local response forces. Estimated that 75 – 80 % are handled by this local response in the initial attack stages. Estimated that 75 – 80 % are handled by this local response in the initial attack stages. VDOF responds based on local contact, knowledge of the area or specific request. VDOF responds based on local contact, knowledge of the area or specific request. Local response is the heart of efficient fire suppression in VA. Local response is the heart of efficient fire suppression in VA.

Wildfire in Virginia Wildfire Causes Wildfire Causes –Miscellaneous –Debris Burning –Arson –Lightning

Wildfire in the WUI VDOF Annual Average (1995 – 2012) 16 Homes Damaged or Destroyed 16 Homes Damaged or Destroyed 54 Other Structures Damaged or Destroyed 54 Other Structures Damaged or Destroyed 853 Homes Saved or Protected 853 Homes Saved or Protected $126 Million Dollars Protected Annually $126 Million Dollars Protected Annually One Structure is Threatened for Every 2 Acres Burned in VA One Structure is Threatened for Every 2 Acres Burned in VA

Virginia’s Wildland Urban Interface

Firewise Virginia Firewise Staff Firewise Staff County and Community Level Assessments County and Community Level Assessments Community Wildfire Protection Plans Community Wildfire Protection Plans Firewise Projects Firewise Projects Cooperative Efforts - RC&D Cooperative Efforts - RC&D Firewise Grant Program Firewise Grant Program Website Website

Questions ???

Questions ???