Think about a state with 1,600 wildfires a year and California is likely the first to come to mind. But wildfires are a real concern right here in Virginia where as many as 1,600 wildfires each year destroy about 10,000 acres of forest and grassland across the commonwealth.

 

Fall wildfire season officially arrived in Virginia on October 15 and will run through November 30. During this time, the combination of weather, outdoor conditions, and our own activities make wildfires more likely to occur.

 

Considering the vast majority of Virginia’s wildfires—about 95 percent—are caused by humans, now’s the time to be extra vigilant about outdoor fire safety and prevention of wildfires.

 

Open burning is the leading culprit when it comes to wildfires, responsible for about 30 percent of all Virginia wildfires. Before you burn, clear a safety zone wide enough to prevent your fire from escaping. If flames get bigger than you expected or are in danger of escaping your burning area you will not have much time to react, so keep a supply of water and a rake or shovel readily accessible. If your fire does escape, call 911 immediately.

 

Of course, you should always burn when the wind is calm, and never leave your fire unattended. It’s also a good idea to check with local community government or fire officials to make sure you’re up to date on any bans or other restrictions that have been put in place to help prevent wildfires.