The Wildland Urban The Wildland Urban Interface Interface in Virginia in Virginia Fred X. Turck Fred X. Turck Assistant Director, Resource Assistant Director, Resource Protection Protection Virginia Department of Forestry Virginia Department of Forestry
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The Wildland Urban Interface in Virginia in Virginia Fred X. Turck Assistant Director, Resource Protection Virginia Department of Forestry.
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The Wildland Urban Interface The Wildland Urban Interface in Virginiain Virginia
Virginia Department of ForestryVirginia Department of Forestry
A wildfire risk ? A wildfire risk ? This is VIRGINIA not This is VIRGINIA not
California !California !
Many Virginians are generally Many Virginians are generally unaware that wildfire can threaten unaware that wildfire can threaten their forestland, their homes and their forestland, their homes and themselves.themselves.
Wildfire in VirginiaWildfire in Virginia
1200 wildfires per year1200 wildfires per year
11,000 acres burned per year11,000 acres burned per year
Most wildfires in Virginia are kept small Most wildfires in Virginia are kept small due to rapid response by Fire Departments due to rapid response by Fire Departments working cooperatively with the working cooperatively with the Department of Forestry.Department of Forestry.
Local ResponseLocal Response
Nearly every wildfire incident in the Nearly every wildfire incident in the Commonwealth is initial attacked by the Commonwealth is initial attacked by the local response forces.local response forces.
Estimated that 75 – 80 % are handled by Estimated that 75 – 80 % are handled by this local response in the initial attack this local response in the initial attack stages.stages.
VDOF responds based on local contact, VDOF responds based on local contact, knowledge of the area or specific request.knowledge of the area or specific request.
Local response is the heart of efficient fire Local response is the heart of efficient fire suppression in VA.suppression in VA.
Wildfire in the WUIWildfire in the WUIVDOFVDOF Annual Average (1995 – 2012)Annual Average (1995 – 2012)
16 Homes Damaged or Destroyed 16 Homes Damaged or Destroyed
54 Other Structures Damaged or Destroyed54 Other Structures Damaged or Destroyed
853 Homes Saved or Protected853 Homes Saved or Protected
$126 Million Dollars Protected Annually$126 Million Dollars Protected Annually One Structure is Threatened for Every 2 Acres One Structure is Threatened for Every 2 Acres
Firewise StaffFirewise Staff County and Community Level County and Community Level
AssessmentsAssessments Community Wildfire Protection Plans Community Wildfire Protection Plans Firewise ProjectsFirewise Projects Cooperative Efforts - RC&DCooperative Efforts - RC&D Firewise Grant ProgramFirewise Grant Program WebsiteWebsite