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
January 31, 2025 - Improve Your Home’s Wildfire Defenses Our thoughts remain with Southern California residents and first responders as they continue to battle catastrophic wildfires. To date, California fire officials are estimating more than 55,000 acres burned and 16,000 structures destroyed. This ongoing emergency serves as a dire reminder of the danger wildfires pose to any community, even cities. Virginia faced a similar threat last year, when high winds and dry conditions led... Read More
December 11, 2024 - Fire Activity Continues Into December While Virginia’s official fall fire season (Oct. 15 – Nov. 30) has ended, continued dry and windy conditions have brought us increased fire activity well into December. Over the last week, DOF suppressed 47 wildfires that burned 171 acres, making it firefighters’ third-busiest week of 2024 by suppressed wildfires. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS), with support from DOF and many local fire departments, is currently... Read More
November 22, 2024 - The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) launched this newsletter to connect with forest landowners and all who love forests. Here we’ll share news, services, assistance programs and more. You’re receiving this newsletter because you previously signed up for DOF announcements. Help us spread the word by encouraging others interested in Virginia’s forests — and forestry — to sign up below. Interested in a specific forestry topic? Contact us. Virginia Celebrates... Read More
November 1, 2024 - The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) launched this newsletter to connect with forest landowners and all who love forests. Here we’ll share news, services, assistance programs and more. You’re receiving this newsletter because you previously signed up for DOF announcements. Help us spread the word by encouraging others interested in Virginia’s forests — and forestry — to sign up below. Interested in a specific forestry topic? Contact us. Landowner Disaster... Read More
October 9, 2024 - The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) launched this newsletter to connect with forest landowners and all who love forests. Here we’ll share news, services, assistance programs and more. You’re receiving this newsletter because you previously signed up for DOF announcements. Help us spread the word by encouraging others interested in Virginia’s forests — and forestry — to sign up below. Interested in a specific forestry topic? Contact us. DOF Response... Read More
September 26, 2024 - *This is the web version of our first “The Understory” newsletter which was mailed out on Sept. 26. Get future editions of The Understory delivered to your inbox here. Welcome to “The Understory!” The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is launching this newsletter to connect with forest landowners and all who love forests. Here we’ll share news, services, assistance programs and more. You’re receiving this newsletter because you previously signed... Read More
