The fall wildfire season has begun, and the Virginia Department of Forestry says it has firefighters assigned to every county to be prepared for it.
DOF firefighters work with local, state and federal fire officials to fight any wildfires that do occur, especially during the two wildfire seasons, in the spring and fall.
According to a release, the leading cause of wildfires in Virginia is careless outdoor burning, with nine out of 10 wildfires being started by people and escaped debris burning being the leading cause of those.
An unattended debris fire or even something as small as a poorly discarded smoldering cigarette can cause a fire in dry โfuels,โ which include dead leaves, limbs, and felled trees.
Additionally, just a few days of dry and/or windy conditions can increase the risk of a wildfire spreading when a fire escapes control.
โIt is now fall fire season in the Commonwealth,โ said Chief of Fire and Emergency Response John Miller.
