[Virginia] Haysi vice mayor killed while fighting Buchanan County wildfire, officials say

[Yonnie3]

by WCYBFri, March 10th 2023, 10:26 AM EST

BUCHANAN COUNTY, Va. (WCYB) — Haysi Vice Mayor Rocky Wood was killed while fighting a Buchanan County wildfire on Thursday, according to the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF).

VDOF said Friday that the 15-acre wildfire was along Lester's Fork Road near the Roseann community.

Wood was a 7-year VDOF employee who worked in the Western Region’s Vansant Office. Wood joined VDOF full-time as a forest technician in 2016. Prior to that, he worked as a part-time wildland firefighter with the agency and for the Virginia Department of Corrections.

Wood was a member of the town council since 2008. He was also the chief of the Haysi Volunteer Fire Department.

“Today our hearts are broken as we send our sincere condolences to Rocky’s family, friends and fellow colleagues during this difficult time,” said State Forester Rob Farrell.

https://wcyb.com/news/local/virginia-department-of-forestry-employee-killed-while-fighting-buchanan-county-wildfire-vdof-vansant-lesters-fork-road

I would occasionally see the forestry buses at the grocery in Blacksburg as they stocked up. Usually they were on the way to a fire. When they were coming off a fire they were very dirty and looked very tired.

[2naSalit]

1. ...

I know a large number of wildland firefighters, every loss is felt hard.