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County fire chiefs present wildfire prevention plan, urge updates to burn ordinance and more community education
Summary
Fire-rescue leadership presented a package of preparedness and mitigation measures after large March wildfires, including a situational awareness dashboard, daily threat analysis, expanded Firewise community work, staffing/training, equipment needs and possible revisions to the open-burn ordinance.
Albemarle Countys fire-rescue leaders told the Board of Supervisors the March wildland fires that burned hundreds of acres highlighted the need for a bigger community focus on wildfire prevention and improved operational tools.
Chief Dan Eggleston and Chief Felicia (community risk and resiliency) described a situational awareness dashboard, daily wildfire-threat analyses, and a plan to expand training and equipment for wildland response. Staff also outlined a multi-step approach to "fire-adapted communities" that starts with a comprehensive countywide risk assessment, neighborhood-level Firewise USA programs and fuel-management planning with the Department of Forestry. Chief Felicia said the county completed a gap analysis of the existing open-burn ordinance (Chapter 6, Article 4) and recommended clarifying provisions and potential short-term bans for high-risk periods; she asked for board direction on whether to pursue a surgical set of near-term ordinance changes or a broader overhaul.
Supervisors supported expedited, targeted changes for near-term risk reduction and emphasized outreach to neighborhood associations, schools and the University of Virginia Foundation for coordination on large wooded tracts. Staff said they will return with recommendations and legal review on air-quality authority, notification thresholds and a proposed timetable.
