The Wildland Urban Interface in Virginia Fred X. Turck

1. The Wildland Urban Interface in Virginia Fred X. Turck Assistant Director, Resource ProtectionVirginia Department of Forestry

2. A wildfire risk ? This is VIRGINIA not California ! • Many Virginians are generally unaware that wildfire can threaten their forestland, their homes and themselves.

3. Wildfire in Virginia • 1200 wildfires per year • 11,000 acres burned per year • Most wildfires in Virginia are kept small due to rapid response by Fire Departments working cooperatively with the Department of Forestry.

4. Local Response • Nearly every wildfire incident in the Commonwealth is initial attacked by the local response forces. • Estimated that 75 – 80 % are handled by this local response in the initial attack stages. • VDOF responds based on local contact, knowledge of the area or specific request. • Local response is the heart of efficient fire suppression in VA.

5. Wildfire in Virginia • Wildfire Causes • Miscellaneous • Debris Burning • Arson • Lightning

6. Wildfire in the WUIVDOFAnnual Average (1995 – 2012) • 16 Homes Damaged or Destroyed • 54 Other Structures Damaged or Destroyed • 853 Homes Saved or Protected • $126 Million Dollars Protected Annually • One Structure is Threatened for Every 2 Acres Burned in VA

7. Virginia’s Wildland Urban Interface

11. Firewise Virginia • Firewise Staff • County and Community Level Assessments • Community Wildfire Protection Plans • Firewise Projects • Cooperative Efforts - RC&D • Firewise Grant Program • Website

12. You worked hard for the "dream" ... Questions ??? fred.turck@dof.virginia.gov Now protect it from wildfire !

13. Questions???