Virginia Department
of Forestry

The Understory – Jan. 30, 2024

January 30, 2025 1:36 pm

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 to wildfires spreading quickly and damaging homes in several counties in the Shenandoah Valley and in Hampton Roads.

So what can you, as a homeowner, do to help protect your home? When firefighters from DOF and local fire departments arrived at the Suffolk property of John Bott, flames were rapidly approaching the home. Fortunately, the large grass yard had been maintained, which created a defensible area for firefighters to begin protection efforts. Had the fire reached the house, the minimal vegetation and cement block foundation would have decreased the likelihood of the home igniting.

“I keep the leaves and pine needles in my yard mulched in the fall to prevent build-up because that can certainly fuel a fire,” said Bott. “I’m very thankful to the responding firefighters because they definitely prevented further damage.”

“Firewise practices are a must,” said DOF Area Forester Scott Bachman. “Most will cost you nothing more than a little time investment. As we saw in Suffolk, these practices can greatly improve your home’s defenses by making it harder for flames to reach your home but also make it easier for firefighters to do our job.”

Visit the DOF website to learn how you can protect your home from wildfire. Virginia’s spring fire season runs from Feb. 15 through April 30.

State of the Forest

The 2024 “State of the Forest” is now available on DOF’s website. This annual report summarizes Virginia’s forest conditions and agency activities for the last fiscal year, covering several program areas from wildfire suppression to forest health.

“The State of the Forest helps encapsulate how we help landowners manage their forests, assist loggers protect water quality, and partner with communities and localities to plant more trees,” said State Forester Rob Farrell. “Each year we create this report to highlight all the critical services DOF provides to ensure Virginia’s trees and forests continue to provide the benefits we rely on every day.”

Read the State of the Forest on DOF’s website.

How Can the Hardwood Initiative Help You?

Want your forest to attract more wildlife? Maybe you want to improve your growth rate or simply propagate a healthy, thriving forest to compliment your home? DOF can help you achieve your goals with cost-share support through the Hardwood Initiative.

Rob Breece is a hunter who wanted to attract more wildlife, especially game species, to his 300 acres of hardwood forestland in Henry County. Breece worked with DOF Area Forester Kevin Keith to establish wildlife and timber goals, determine appropriate steps needed with a forest management plan, and apply for cost-share reimbursement through the Hardwood Initiative. Breece also received recommendations on forestry service companies to help.

“The cost share was a great incentive to push me into doing all this work…and maybe doing more than I would have otherwise,” said Breece. “The process was easy and I’ve already seen benefits. Kevin helped me immensely throughout the process. I would encourage anyone who appreciates wildlife and nice, open hardwood stands to look into the Hardwood Initiative.”

Visit the DOF website to learn how the Hardwood Initiative can help you and your forest.

Category: Education, Public Information