RICHMOND, VA — Governor Glenn Youngkin today signed Executive Order 40 (2024) to ensure the Commonwealth is prepared for potential wildfire activity as this year’s fall fire season begins. The goals of this executive order are to enhance Virginia’s wildfire preparedness and response capabilities, and advance agency coordination, incident command operations and communication ahead of future wildfires. The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) serves as the lead agency for wildfire incident command, ensuring streamlined operations and accountability.

“We are at our best when everyone – agencies, elected officials and citizens – collaborate across all levels of government and community to protect our natural resources and ensure the safety of all Virginians,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Through this Executive Order, we are proactively enhancing our wildfire coordination and emergency preparedness to mitigate risks to Virginians, wildlife and businesses in communities across the Commonwealth.”

“Firefighters from the Virginia Department of Forestry work closely with local firefighters and state and federal agencies to protect our communities, and deserve our strongest support,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr. “Every day – not just in the fall and spring when fire activity is highest – these brave first responders protect our forests, wildlife, property, and people in the communities where we live.”

“Virginia’s public safety and first response agencies collaborate every day to enhance the quality of life for Virginia’s citizens,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Terrance Cole. “This Executive Order reinforces the continued and constructive collaboration between the Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Department of Fire Programs and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management to ensure the Commonwealth remains in the top echelon of preparedness, prevention and response.”

“We appreciate the Governor’s support of our work suppressing wildfires in the Commonwealth,” said State Forester Rob Farrell. “DOF regularly partners with local, state, and federal agency cooperators to help ensure all of Virginia’s forests are protected. This Executive Order will further develop our close interagency coordination efforts to ensure quick and efficient wildfire management and protection of Virginia’s people and property.”

The Commonwealth is committed to protecting citizens, natural resources, and property from the threats of wildfire. The increased wildfire activity during the recent fall 2023 and spring 2024 wildfire seasons has reinforced the need for effective coordination and communication between all the agencies involved in wildfire suppression in Virginia. Over the last 12 months (since Oct. 1, 2023), DOF worked with local fire departments to suppress 608 wildfires that burned 45,704 acres in Virginia.

The Commonwealth remains committed to effective communication and coordination among all state agencies to enhance state level response efforts.

Wildfire Incident Management:  

  • DOF will ensure all agencies understand their specific roles during wildfire emergencies, promoting coordinated action.
  • Stress that all resource requests must go through Unified Incident Command, enhancing accountability and efficiency in resource management.
  • Swift and effective initial attack of wildfires is important, but there is a need to balance the protection of lives and property while ensuring firefighter/responder safety during wildfire incidents.

MOU Development:  

  • DOF and Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) will enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration and resource coordination during wildfire incidents.
  • VDFP will support DOF wildfire management with regional staff to improve informational sharing with local emergency operations centers.

Establish a Wildfire Annex to COVEOP: 

  • DOF and VDEM will work to create a new Wildfire Annex to better integrate wildfire management into the Commonwealth’s State Emergency Operations Plan, ensuring preparedness and response protocols are current.

Enhanced Wildfire Communications:  

  • All state agencies are directed to work closely with DOF during wildfire incidents, ensuring that information flows efficiently and effectively.
  • DOF will implement regular updates and simplified reporting methods to keep the public and officials informed about wildfire status and safety measures.
  • Encourage citizens to stay informed and prepared.

Read the Executive Order here.