The Wildland Urban Interface The Wildland Urban Interface in Virginiain Virginia

Fred X. TurckFred X. TurckAssistant Director, Resource ProtectionAssistant Director, Resource Protection

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 VirginiaWildfire in Virginia

Wildfire CausesWildfire Causes– MiscellaneousMiscellaneous– Debris BurningDebris Burning– ArsonArson– LightningLightning

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

Burned in VABurned in VA

Virginia’s Wildland Urban Virginia’s Wildland Urban InterfaceInterface

Virginia’s Woodland Homes

5 17 24 29 37 45 5318

77 93

139174

250

321

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350DEVELOPMENTS(Hundreds)HOMES (Thousands)

Firewise VirginiaFirewise Virginia

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

Questions ???

fred.turck@dof.virginia.gov

QuestionsQuestions ??? ???