Wildfire Suppression

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is responsible for the suppression of wildfires on all state- and privately-owned lands in the Commonwealth. The agency also uses active agreements with our other state and federal agency cooperators to help ensure that all of Virginia’s forests are protected.

DOF has more than 160 response personnel, 89 small bulldozer/fire plow units, 13 brush trucks and several pieces of specialized equipment, including mobile command posts and 4X4 utility task vehicles (UTVs) to support agency wildfire suppression efforts.

Additionally, the agency’s Command Center at DOF headquarters is collocated with the federal Virginia Interagency Coordination Center in Charlottesville, which allows for close coordination on federal incidents at the state and national level. This close interagency collaboration is a model for the nation in terms of quick and efficient wildfire management and support.

Wildfire Incidents

Current wildfire incident status information is available in DOF’s Wildfire Incident Viewer.

Read today’s daily fire danger rating and Wildfire Summation Report.


Additional Resources

ImageTitleIDDescriptionContent TypeViewhf:tax:document-categoryhf:tax:Media
Become a Wildland Firefighter
Become a Wildland FirefighterP00149

Brochure provides information to help get started in becoming a wildland firefighter in Virginia. Firefighters must meet certain training, fitness, and service requirements.

Viewfire-and-emergency-response human-resourcespublication
Evidence Protection
Evidence ProtectionP00141

Brochure serves as a guide to first-response emergency personnel for protecting life and property, putting the fire out, and securing the scene; providing steps that should be taken at the time of dispatch, en-route, upon arrival, suppression, and securing the area. Printed copies available.

Viewfire-and-emergency-responsepublication
Fighting Wildfire in Virginia
Fighting Wildfire in VirginiaP00148

Brochure provides a safety and logistical briefing to wildfire personnel fighting wildfire in Virginia, including DOF-provided meals, lodging, personnel/crew time, medical needs, nature’s hazards, and other guidelines for Virginia wildfires.

Viewfire-and-emergency-responsepublication
Services for Landowners
Services for LandownersP00112

Brochure provides information about the services available to landowners from the Virginia Department of Forestry, including forest management and forest health, timber harvesting and water quality, land conservation, tree seedling production, and resource protection. Printed copies available.

Viewfire-and-emergency-response forest-health forest-management forestland-conservation nurseries urban-and-community-forestry water-qualitypublication

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