February 26, 2026 10:43 am
Published by Corydon Swift-Turner
Spring Fire Season Arrives Spring fire season is officially underway, marking the time of year when Virginia’s 4 p.m. burning law is in effect. “Virginia averages around 700 wildfires each year, with the majority occurring in spring,” said Chief of Fire and Emergency Response John Miller. “Already this year, DOF has responded to approximately 100 wildfires. Warmer weather, dry and windy conditions, and abundant fuels increase wildfire risk. Until fire season ends on April 30, you can... Read More
February 20, 2026 11:49 am
Published by Corydon Swift-Turner
DOF staff are encouraged to apply to be camp counselors for the 78th annual Camp Woods & Wildlife, scheduled for June 15-19 at the Holiday Lake 4-H Center in Appomattox County. Interested? Complete application form 13.06 on the Intranet. Please clear attendance with your supervisor before applying. Camp Woods & Wildlife is a hands-on, career-focused overnight camp open to any Virginia student aged 13-16 who has not attended before. The... Read More
February 20, 2026 10:50 am
Published by Corydon Swift-Turner
We first let you know about the change to OKTA MFA (multi-factor authentication) last August. Most of our DOF staff have successfully switched over to using OKTA Verify or OKTA FastPass. Thank you for your help! If you haven’t set up an alternate method of MFA, text and phone options are ending on March 2. Please look at the Knowledge Base (KB) articles below to set up another MFA option... Read More
January 29, 2026 8:30 am
Published by Corydon Swift-Turner
Terry Lasher Appointed State Forester Terry Lasher has been appointed by Governor Abigail Spanberger as DOF’s ninth State Forester. Most recently serving as executive director with the Virginia Forestry Association, Lasher rejoins the agency where he spent more than two decades, beginning in 2001 as resource conservation and development forester in Tappahannock. From there, he went on to assume a wide range of roles with the agency including, assistant regional... Read More
December 13, 2025 9:30 am
Published by Corydon Swift-Turner
Be Fire Safe This Holiday Season Virginia’s fall fire season wrapped on Nov. 30. Since its start on Oct. 15, 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. Virginia’s fall fire season may be over, but please take it from... Read More
