Oct. 21, 2005
 
Common Sense Steps Can Prevent Forest Fires
 
By HNN Staff
 
Huntington, WV (HNN)- West Virginia is known for its natural beauty, especially our acres and acres of deep, serene forests. When we think of forests, some of us imagine hiking through the rugged hills spotting deer and listening to the wind rustle the leaves during this colorful time of year.
 
While we enjoy our state’s natural beauty, many of us rarely consider the importance of forests to our state’s economy. As the third most forested state in the nation, West Virginia’s forests contribute $4 billion annually to our economy. The Mountain State’s forest products industry employs an estimated 30,000 citizens. As a result, for our quality of life and our economy, we must do all that we can as West Virginians to protect our state forests from forest fires during this fall fire season.
 
Did you know that 99 percent of all wildfires in our state are the direct result of citizens and their actions? This year, forestry officials are especially concerned with the potential for forest fires due to near drought-like conditions across our state. Conditions this year are similar to 2001 when nearly 87,000 acres burned.
 
Although forest fires occur in every county, the West Virginia Division of Forestry has designated 14 “hot counties,” which include the following: Boone, Cabell, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Nicholas, Raleigh, Wayne, and Wyoming. In these counties the occurrence of wildfires is often more prevalent.
 
It is important for all West Virginians to know that they are not helpless when it comes to preventing or stopping forest fires. By taking common sense steps while working in or just enjoying the outdoors, we can save valuable resources as well as lives.
 
If you spot a wildfire, the first thing you should do is get to the nearest telephone and call 911. The fact is that quick response times enable forestry personnel to contain fires more swiftly and keep fires smaller. In addition to calling the appropriate authorities, everyone should understand and obey the forest fire laws - only burn after 4 p.m., extinguish the fire by 7 a.m., attend the fire at all times, create a safety strip around the fire and burn only vegetative materials. Please also refrain from burning debris until we have had some rain and never burn anything on a windy day.
 
As Smokey Bear says, “Only you can prevent a forest fire.” Working together, we can ensure that our state and national forests remain the treasures that we all enjoy. I urge all West Virginians to use common sense steps that will help protect our timber resources – the wooded rolling hills and valleys we all affectionately refer to as “Wild and Wonderful.”