Governor thanks firefighters, volunteers

By: | WSLS 10
Published: February 28, 2008

Governor Tim Kaine thanked men and women from the Roanoke County Fire and Rescue Department, the Virginia National Guard, and the Virginia Department of Forestry for a job well-done fighting the local wildfires a couple weeks ago. Officials said a record-breaking 348 wildfires burned across the Commonwealth on February 10th and burned 16,000 acres. At the Green Ridge Mountain fire, officials said 4,000 acres burned.

"I am here just to say 'thank you.' These employees put their lives on the line," said Governor Kaine.

The Virginia Department of Forestry said the last wildfire record was in the 1960s with only about 90 wildfires. But everybody agrees this is not a record they want to continue to break.

"So this by a factor of 4 times, was the most challenging day in terms of wildfires that the state has ever responded to," said Governor Kaine.

Richard Burch, Chief for Roanoke County Fire and Rescue, said, "When resources came in from the Department of Forestry and National Guard, when they came in and the other departments came in, it worked well. The cooperation was outstanding."

The Virginia National Guard was also called in to help.

"We went down to Fort Pickett for the day to give us a brief familiarization course in wildland fires, so we knew a little bit about what we were getting into," said Staff Sgt., Ross Holsclaw.

Kaine quoted Winston Churchill saying "Never was so much owed by so many to so few."

And then added, "Those few very bravely protected so many, and we owe them a lot," said Governor Kaine.