July 3, 2025 -
Celebrate Safely, Virginia 🇺🇸 🎆 As you get ready to celebrate this 4th of July, make plans to enjoy a public, professionally organized fireworks show. All fireworks, even seemingly harmless ones, can cause serious injury. Did you know sparklers burn at an incredible 2,000 degrees?! According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 14,700 people across the U.S. were injured by fireworks last year. “Both legal and illegal fireworks can... Read More
May 29, 2025 -
Landowner Reforestation Success in Amelia When Amelia County landowners Stuart and Melissa Price bought their 16-acre property in 2010, only 10 acres were forested. The previous owners used the remaining grass fields to graze beef cattle. Stuart and Melissa considered how they could repurpose the lot, starting with hiking trails. Working with DOF Dinwiddie Area Forester Doug Audley, Stuart created a forest stewardship plan that identified the existing tree species and... Read More
April 28, 2025 -
Virginia Celebrates Arbor Day On Friday, (pictured from left to right) Deputy State Forester Ed Zimmer, State Forester Rob Farrell, Community Forestry Manager Lara Johnson, Maymont Horticulture and Grounds Senior Manager Sean Proietti, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matt Lohr, and Maymont Director Parke Richeson celebrated Arbor Day with a tree-planting ceremony on the grounds of Maymont, a 100-acre green space in the heart of Richmond. A red horse-chestnut was... Read More
March 21, 2025 -
DOF Plays Defense in Southwest Virginia When not responding to wildfires during the last week of February, DOF’s Western Region conducted two wildfire mitigation projects in Southwest Virginia. By proactively removing vegetation, dead leaves and woody debris, communities are better protected against wildfires. The first project was conducted in a community within Claytor Lake State Park in Pulaski County. Surrounded by woodlands with a highly trafficked campground nearby, the community... Read More
February 27, 2025 -
Spring Fire Season Arrives Virginia’s spring fire season is here. The statewide 4 p.m. burning law is now in effect through April 30. The law restricts outdoor burning until after 4 p.m. when wildfire risk is generally lower. The law applies to outdoor burning within 300 feet of the woods or dry grass. This includes debris burning, campfires and open-air charcoal grills like those found in park settings. Violating the... Read More
