| |
|
| |
|
|
- 2007 - 849 fires burned 7,122 acres
- 2006 - 1,022 fires burned 17,608 acres
- 2005 - 757 fires burned 12,436 acres
- 2004 - 632 fires burned 6,022 acres
- 2003 - 669 fires burned 8,370 acres
- 2002 - 959 fires burned 10,024 acres
- 2001 - 887 fires burned 86,465 acres
|
Mid-Atlantic Wildfire Training Academy
scheduled for June 7-13
The Division of Forestry will once again participate in the Mid-Atlantic Wildfire Training Academy in Morgantown, W.Va. This academy offers courses basic to anyone interested in wildfire fighting. Class sizes are limited.
Spring Forest Fire Season In Effect Through May 31
Outdoor burning restricted from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
From March 1 through May 31, outdoor burning is prohibited between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. During this three-month period, known as the spring forest fire season, outdoor burning is permitted only in the evening and at night, between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7 a.m., when the chances of a fire escaping are reduced due to cooler temperatures, increased humidity and calmer winds.
Director/State Forester Randy Dye said that escaped debris burning and arson were the leading causes of forest fires last year in West Virginia. "Arson was the cause of 32 percent of all the fires and escaped debris fires caused another 32 percent," Dye said. "If our residents will be careful with their fires and report suspected arsonists, nearly all of the state's forest fires can be prevented and we can save thousands of acres of forestland from severe damage to our trees, soil, streams and wildlife habitat."
Other causes of fires were equipment use (17%), children (3%), smokers (2%), campfires (2%), railroads (2%) and lightning (2%). Seven percent of fires were deemed to be caused by miscellaneous events and another one percent is still under investigation.
Besides the daytime burning restrictions, other outdoor burning laws are in effect during this time:
* All outdoor fires must have a safety strip for a minimum distance of 10 feet around the materials being burned. This strip must be cleared down to the mineral soil to lessen the chances of an errant spark escaping into the woods and starting a forest fire.
* All fires must be totally extinguished and not left unattended for any period of time. Anyone caught breaking the law can be charged with a misdemeanor, fined up to $300, and held liable for costs of fighting the fire and any damage the fire may have caused to others' property.
Forestry officials suggest in addition to obeying the state?s forest fires laws that residents should never burn anything on a windy day, make sure the area they are burning in is clear of flammable materials, and have tools, such as a rake, shovel, or water hose handy in case the fire does escape.
CAUSES OF WILDFIRES IN WEST VIRGINIA
In Fiscal Year 2007, the majority of wildfires was caused by carelessness, when debris fires were allowed to escape and ignite the surrounding woods (32%), and by arson/incendiary (32%). Other causes of wildfires included equipment use (17%), campfires (2%), children (3%), smokers (2%) and railroads (2%). Another seven percent was attributed to miscellaneous causes. Lightning caused two percent of the wildfires and another one percent is still under investigation.
To Learn More About West Virginia's Forest Fire Laws Click Here
WILDFIRE CONTROL PROGRAM
The DOF's top priority has always been and continues to be protecting the State's forest resource from the ravages of wildfire. At the turn of the 20th century, wildfires devastated West Virginia's forests. In 1908, more than 1.7 million acres of forestland were destroyed by fire. As a result of this devastation, the West Virginia Reform Law of 1909 was established to protect the State's only renewable resource, the forest. Today the DOF is reponsible for protecting nearly 12 million acres of forestland across West Virginia.
|
