March 10, 2023 - At approximately 8:30 p.m. on March 9, a Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) employee was killed while fighting a 15-acre wildfire along Lester’s Fork Road near the Roseann community in Buchanan County.
February 14, 2023 - The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) joins fire departments throughout the Commonwealth to raise awareness about fire safety this spring. Due to weather conditions, available “fuel,” and increased recreational activity, the possibility of wildfires surges this time of year. Last week, several wildfires were contained in western regions of the state.
January 9, 2023 - The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) has announced the awardees for the 2022 Forest Sustainability Fund. One million dollars will be distributed proportionately to 68 Virginia localities to partially offset the reduced real estate tax revenue that results from forestland use taxation. The localities will be able to use these funds for public education, outdoor recreation, or forest conservation.
December 13, 2022 - During the recent Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the results of an economic impact study from the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. Concluding in October, the research found that in 2021, the total economic impact of Virginia agriculture and forestry industries was over $105 billion in total industry output. This total represents an estimated 11.2 percent of entire state’s output. In... Read More
December 5, 2022 - During this year’s fall fire season, wildfires burned more than 2,650 acres and damaged nine homes and structures across the Commonwealth. Suppression efforts by the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) and our firefighter partners are credited with saving more than 150 homes and other buildings, with an estimated protected value of more than $25 million.
November 9, 2022 - The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) has announced the creation of its 200th conservation easement in the Commonwealth of Virginia. With the addition of the 1,428-acre property in Wise County known as Pine Mountain, DOF has now protected 91,597 acres of land, 84,112 acres of forest and nearly 460 miles of streams and rivers.
October 24, 2022 - As the days turn cooler and shorter, many Virginians are using firewood to keep warm and spend quality time with friends and family. While seemingly harmless, moving firewood can enable the easy movement of destructive forest and agricultural pests. When firewood is moved from one area to another, the invasive emerald ash borer, spongy moth, Asian longhorned beetle, and spotted lanternfly often “hitchhike” to destroy crops, infect more trees and sometimes... Read More
October 24, 2022 - Virginia’s fall wildfire season begins Oct. 15. The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) reminds everyone to be extra careful when burning yard debris, or enjoying a campfire or backyard fire pit.
October 12, 2022 - Every October the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) offers a wide variety of trees for purchase through its online seedling store. Bred specifically for Virginia’s soils and climate, seedlings are grown and sold directly from the agency’s self-supporting nurseries.
October 11, 2022 - Beginning this month, the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) will conduct intermittent closures of the Whitney State Forest in Fauquier County for ongoing logging operations. Timber harvest activities of mature loblolly pine, yellow-poplar and black walnut will be occurring across an 18-acre area of the forest over the next several months.
