The West Virginia Division of Forestry (WV DOF) protects and manages all State Forest resources across the Mountain State. Our state holds strict standards for forest fire laws to protect these forests, which are one of the state’s most valuable resources.
The West Virginia Division of Forestry (WV DOF) helps ensure the safety, management, prevention and response to wildfires in our state through training and preparation.
The Division employs over 60 foresters who are all certified wildland firefighters, according to Linda Carnell, Assistant State Forester, Communication & Education.
“The WV DOF is tasked with the protection of West Virginia’s forests. To do the best job we can, we keep updated on the latest training in firefighting, fire behaviors and are aware of current weather conditions. All this information helps us determine how to prepare for fires in many different circumstances,” Carnell said.
Doing your part to help out during Fire Season
Be mindful and aware of the impact you leave when you are outdoors. Fall Fire Season starts October 1 and lasts through December 31. Once Fall Fire Season starts, burning is prohibited from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. If burning has occurred during permitted hours (5 p.m. to 7 a.m.), the fire must be completely extinguished by 7 a.m.
“We have been trying to educate the public more into becoming our eyes and ears around West Virginia,” Carnell said. “We ask that the public remain vigilant if they are using fire. As part of the law, they are to be with the fire at all times when they are conducting one.”
“Foresters have remained on high alert due to the extended drought West Virginia has been experiencing,” she added.
“Every year, we have a statutory spring and fall fire season. For most of the state, our spring fire season did not end after May 31. Most of our areas of the state have seen small wildfires through the summer. The WV DOF is aware of the current conditions and responds to every fire.”
Fire Training – Fire School
Twin Falls Resort State Park set the stage recently for the Forestry’s bi-annual Fire School. The course provides basic fire training for all new employees at the WV DOF, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Section and West Virginia State Parks.
Using spot fires, the group was tasked with determining the origin of a wildfire by reading directional indicators and then determining what caused the fire.
Assistant State Forester John Bird also brought out the agency’s K9 arson investigator to participate in training. The bloodhound tracks individuals who have ignited a wildfire and left the area.
Bird added that public education also plays a big part in wildfire prevention.
“If we can prevent our fires from occurring, we can prevent us from suppressing them and risking our lives,” he said.
Fighting wildfires requires different tactics and resources compared to house fires. Learn morehere.
Sharing resources and helping out our fellow states fight wildfires
Wildfires occur in every state, and each state is tasked with training and preparing personnel to fight them. All states are part of “compacts,” which allow trained foresters to jump into action when and where needed. West Virginia is part of the Mid-Atlantic Compact, a group of states that work together in times of high fire danger.
When other areas of the United States are stretched to their limits, other states available to assist in fire suppression are called upon to provide additional support.
The same scenario would take place if West Virginia would need outside assistance.
“We typically send resources out every year, depending on the number of requests that other states have for additional resources and who the Division has that are interested in going,” said Eric Jarrell, Assistant State Forester, Fire.
During the summer of 2024, the WV DOF sent eight different resources out of state, including a wildland fire investigator and wildland fire Investigator trainee to Arizona, an engine boss trainee to Washington, a radio operator to California, two dispatchers to Pennsylvania, a dispatcher to Oregon and a 20-person Type 2IA crew to Wyoming.
“All of our training follows the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) guidelines,” Jarrell said. “The NWCG provides national leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal and territorial partners. That way, no matter where we are fighting fire or what agency we are assisting, we all have had the same training and follow the same firefighting guidelines.”
Ready for the next season
Gov. Jim Justice awarded the Division a $4 million grant to purchase new firefighting equipment to be used across West Virginia. The equipment will help firefighters get into areas that a large fire truck would not be able to get into.
The new equipment includes:
- Two Type 3 Bulldozers equipped with specialized forestry and fire fighting packages.
- Three Type 6 Wildland Fire Engines designed specifically for combating wildfires.
- Six new drones equipped with thermal imaging technology to assist in fire detection.
- Eight UTVs are outfitted with skid units and water tanks for improved wildfire response in hard-to-reach areas.
- Seventeen pickup trucks fitted with skid units for enhanced firefighting capabilities.
Gov. Justice revealed the new equipment recently at Twin Falls in conjunction with Forestry’s bi-annual Fire School. Several state foresters have already been trained to use the specialty equipment.
How you can continue to help the Division of Forestry this Fire Season
Before you burn, consult the Fire Burning Guidelines. Parents, guardians and teachers can help by teaching kids about fire safety. The History of Smokey Bear offers fun and educational resources, including a downloadable workbook, comic book, coloring sheets and more.
Carnell stressed that it’s crucial for West Virginians to know the fire laws.
“If you are burning – even if it is not in a regulated fire season – you are still responsible for that fire, and if it escapes to lands of another, the responsibility falls to you.”
In the words of Smokey Bear, “Only YOU can prevent wildfires.”
Following these fire laws during the Fire Season will not only help keep our state forests safe but also help the Division of Forestry. Wildfires can be unpredictable and often very dangerous, even with training, preparation and the right equipment. It is important to know the fire laws to keep everyone in our state safe.Learn more about WV Fire Laws.