While seasonal burn bans have been lifted in Virginia, the Department of Forestry (VDOF) continues to recommend being smart when burning outdoors.
VDOT responders suppress more than 700 wildfires each year, according to the department, which means helping to protect lives, forests and property.
Protecting people as well as the forests of Virginia is a concerted effort. VDOT works alongside many local paid and volunteer fire departments, state agencies such as the Virginia Department of Fire Programs and national organizations like the National Interagency Fire Center and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
VDOF is recommending citizens across the Commonwealth join their commitment to wildfire preparedness by agreeing to take on one project or task each week during the month of May to help prevent a wildfire from starting or to help protect homes and communities from the threat of wildfires.