{"id":"us-va","slug":"virginia","name":"Virginia","license":"CC-BY-4.0","placeNode":"/places/us-va.json","construction":{"reviewStatus":"none","applications":[],"localApplications":[],"requirements":[],"sources":[{"title":"13VAC5-63 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code","url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincodefull/title13/agency5/chapter63/","publisher":"Virginia Legislative Information System","sourceType":"official","accessedOn":"2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z"}]},"localAuthorities":[],"claims":{"exact":[{"id":"guide:what-firescapes-measured-that-lists-guess-at:1","anchor":"local-us-va-what-firescapes-measured-that-lists-guess-at-1","place":"Virginia Firescapes 430-300 (2015 reprint)","placeId":"us-va","scopeKind":"place","scopeMode":"descendants","scopeRef":null,"claim":"Reviewed by David Close. Taking into consideration fire data collected for 20 years, in Virginia, 16 houses are damaged or destroyed each year by wildfire. On average, there are 1,200 wildfires each year. Fire suppression efforts protect more than $126 million worth of structures each year. Source: Virginia Department of Forestry, Fire and Forest Protection Program. The trees, shrubs, groundcovers and vines listed have been assigned a general flammability rating. THERE ARE NO FIREPROOF PLANTS. UNDER EXTREME FIRE CONDITIONS, ALL PLANTS WILL BURN. Arrangement, spacing and density of plants that grow around the house can be more crucial than what species are planted. Zone 1: house to 5 ft. from house — have nothing flammable next to the house, including trees, brush, tall grass, leaves, firewood piles, bark mulch and other burnables. Zone 2: 5 ft. to 10 ft. — avoid evergreens that catch fire easily and burn quickly; leave 10-15-ft. spaces between tree crowns. Task Force includes Bonnie Lee Appleton, Cindy L. Frenzel (Virginia Department of Forestry), Julie B. Hillegass, Robert E. Lyons, and Larry G. Steward. Flammability H/M/L. Acer rubrum L. Cornus florida L. Cercis canadensis L. Rhododendron periclymenoides L. Rhododendron calendulaceum M. Rhododendron prinophyllum M. Evergreen trees including Ilex opaca, Juniperus virginiana, Pinus strobus, Pinus virginiana rated H. Evergreen shrubs including Kalmia latifolia, Rhododendron catawbiense, Rhododendron maximum, Rhododendron obtusum, and Rhododendron sp. (hybrid azaleas) rated H. Groundcover junipers (J. conferta, J. horizontalis, J. procumbens) rated H.","asOf":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","object":{"kind":"guide","id":"what-firescapes-measured-that-lists-guess-at","title":"What Firescapes rated that lists guess at","url":"/guides/what-firescapes-measured-that-lists-guess-at/"},"source":{"title":"Virginia Firescapes: Firewise Landscaping for Woodland Homes (430-300)","url":"https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstreams/47e64ffa-7f13-4097-9100-064bfb0f03f8/download","publisher":"Virginia Cooperative Extension / Virginia Tech","sourceType":"official","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","documentDate":"2015-07-01T00:00:00.000Z"}},{"id":"guide:what-firescapes-measured-that-lists-guess-at:2","anchor":"local-us-va-what-firescapes-measured-that-lists-guess-at-2","place":"Virginia Department of Forestry, Firewise Communities for Virginia (P00111)","placeId":"us-va","scopeKind":"place","scopeMode":"descendants","scopeRef":null,"claim":"VDOF P00111; 07/2013. Firewise landscaping primary goal is fuel modification. Zone 1 closest to the home, Zone 4 farthest. Zone 1: well-irrigated area of at least 30 feet on all sides provides defensible space. Plants should be limited to carefully spaced fire-resistant tree and shrub species. Zone 2: low-growing, fire-resistant plant materials; irrigation should extend into this zone. Prune trees 6 to 12 feet from ground. Clear dead wood and dense vegetation within 30 feet. Although mulch helps retain soil moisture, when dry, it can become flammable. Lean, clean, and green. Plants such as ornamental junipers, hollies, red cedar and young pine, that contain resins, oils and waxes burn readily — remove them. Green: plant fire-resistant vegetation that is healthy and green throughout the year. Use less-flammable plants: Azalea, Viburnum, Crepe Myrtle, Spirea, Hydrangea, Annual and Perennial Flowers, Ferns, Dogwood, Redbud, Red Maple and Oak.","asOf":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","object":{"kind":"guide","id":"what-firescapes-measured-that-lists-guess-at","title":"What Firescapes rated that lists guess at","url":"/guides/what-firescapes-measured-that-lists-guess-at/"},"source":{"title":"Firewise Communities for Virginia (P00111)","url":"https://www.landcan.org/pdfs/Firewise-Communities-For-VA.pdf","publisher":"Virginia Department of Forestry","sourceType":"official","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","documentDate":"2013-07-01T00:00:00.000Z"}}],"local":[]},"placeFocusedGuides":[{"id":"what-firescapes-measured-that-lists-guess-at","title":"What Firescapes rated that lists guess at","url":"/guides/what-firescapes-measured-that-lists-guess-at/"}],"findings":[],"plants":{"grain":"state","total":675,"nativeDocumented":8,"invasiveOrNoxiousFlagged":169,"fireResistant":387,"keepAway":86,"conflicts":21,"page":"/grow/virginia/"},"fireEvidencePublicationScope":{"answerGrain":"typed-state-source","sourceCount":2}}