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Fall fire season is fast approaching in West Virginia. It begins Oct. 1 (though the ongoing drought has made conditions dangerous already). This will be the first season during which employees of the state Division of Forestry, Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Section and state parks have improved equipment to fight wildfires, after passage of Senate Bill 1032 back in 2023.
At an event at Twin Falls State Park, officials announced the inclusion of two Type 3 bulldozers with specialized forestry and firefighting packages, three Type 6 wildland fire engines, six new drones with thermal imaging technology, eight UTVs with skid units and water tanks, and 17 pickup trucks with skid units to improve firefighting capability.
"This equipment not only creates more efficient ways for us to fight fires around the state -- and the nation -- but it increases our capabilities to fight fires in remote and hard-to-access locations," said DOF Director and State Forester Jeremy Jones. "Not only is this the first time we have had dozers, it's the first time WV DOF has had nationally certified fire engines. Most importantly, this equipment provides a safer way for us to keep our beautiful state and our communities safe."
All the equipment in the world won't make much difference if residents behave recklessly and irresponsibly, however.
"Although Fall Fire Season officially begins Oct. 1, our foresters work tirelessly year-round to protect one of our state's most valuable assets," said Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Commerce James Bailey. "We ask the public to be cautious and careful as they enjoy the outdoors."
They may be better equipped to do it (and lawmakers are to be commended for providing the money), but the men and women who fight wildfires here and across the country put their lives on the line every time they take on a job. Don't make it any more dangerous for them than it already is.