Wildfires Still Burning

A couple of weeks ago (before the recent rains) I was driving to the grocery and for the first time in over a decade I heard the Smokey Bear public service announcement - the distinctive voice of Sam Elliot saying: “Only you can prevent wildfires.” It had been a relatively dry August at the time here in Virginia, and the grass (or the green weeds) were a bit dry and crispy. But I realized, that the wildfires in the west are still burning.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center there are still 93 large fires and complexes that have not been fully contained burning 813,066 acres in several western states. Since January 1, of this year 49,820 wildfires have burned 6,726,028 acres in the United States. People have caused 43,452 wildfires this year that burned 2.8 million acres. Lightning caused 6,341 wildfires and 3.9 million acres were burned. The states with the most human-caused wildfires are: Texas, California, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. More than 19,500 wildland firefighters and support personnel are out, assigned to fires across the country. However, when it comes to protecting homes and communities from wildfires, firefighters can not do it alone. You need to do your part to prevent wildfires.

In Prince William County (and most of Virginia) you can burn dry, natural vegetation, grown on the property, but only during certain times of the year. Burning is allowed February 15 through April 30 and may only take place between 4 p.m. and 12 midnight. This is due to State Forest Laws that are in effect during this time. During these times winds are usually calmer and the relative humidity is increased. (VA code 10.1-1142) Please see www.dof.virginia.gov for more information.

From May through September only recreational fires and bonfires are permitted. Bonfires require a special permit. There’s nothing quite like enjoying the great outdoors with a roaring fire, gooey s’mores and a night sky full of stars. It’s  important to learn how to be safe with your campfire. Check out the tips from Smokey Bear at this site.

Though a natural part of the landscape, wildfire conditions across the west have intensified due to increasing temperatures and dryness that we are told is the result of climate change. The fire season across the West is starting earlier and ending later each year. The length of fire season is estimated to have increased by 75 days across the Sierras and seems to correspond with an increase in the extent of wildfires across the state.

Fire can also be an important part of maintaining diverse and healthy ecosystems. Nearly every region in the country has some kind of fire-dependent plant or tree. Many plants have evolved adaptations that protect them as a species against the effects of fire, and some are even strengthened by it. When fires burn in intervals appropriate to their ecosystem, they consume leaf litter and other ground vegetation like dead wood. This can trigger a rebirth of forests, helping to maintain native plant species.

Ecosystems that are dependent on fire to thin the forest canopy and cultivate the forest floor are slowly transformed without enough natural fire. Sunlight-dependent native plant species are overtaken by those that like shade, and the whole ecosystem becomes less diverse, more dense from undergrowth, and littered with dead plant material which makes them more susceptible to wildfires.

As more of us live in the urban interface where homes and communities meet the wildlands, wildfire prevention and protection become everyone’s responsibility. Simple Firewise steps can help you and your neighbors minimize your risk from wildfire and maximize your safety, even here in Virginia. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has runs the national Firewise USA®  oversees a grassroots program to provide a framework to help neighbors get organized, find direction, and take action to increase the ignition resistance of their homes and community and to reduce wildfire risks at the local level. Communities that fully embrace the Firewise principles have successfully protected their homes from the threat of a wildfire.

 
The Firewise USA® program is administered by NFPA® and is co-sponsored by the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. Communities participate on a voluntary basis. Locally, Bull Run Mountain Estates is a participating Firewise Community since 2007. You can get more information on how to reduce your fire risks and help our firefighters by becoming fire adaptive and Firewise here.