Inspired by the devastating wildfires in California that have affected over 38,600 acres and led to evacuation orders for 88,000 residents as of Jan. 15, we reached out to Stafford County’s Fire and Rescue team to explore how they get ready for wildfires in this area.
A wildfire outbreak began in California on January 7, 2025 and continues as of Jan., 23. Over 47,000 acres have burned, with a new fire starting yesterday in Hughes County. Over 16,000 structures have burned due to wildfires in 2025.
Katie Brady, county fire department spokeswoman and Fire Life Safety Manager, clarified that “wildfire” is a broad blanket term. Stafford is likelier to experience “brush fires” than quick-moving wildfires that cause widespread destruction like California’s. Brushfires can range in size from a few feet to several acres and can be precursors to a larger wildfire capable of causing significant damage. Brushfires are more common when the area experiences drought conditions, like in 2024.
Brady credited those drought conditions with the increased fire activity in Stafford. The area saw brushfires along I-95; one day in March, she said, several brushfires were held in Stafford and around the Commonwealth. With brushfires, responders must monitor humidity levels and the speed and direction of wind in order to minimize the spread.
While the risk of brushfires in this area is low, Brady said fall and spring are typically higher-risk seasons, but brushfires can break out at any time of the year.
Brady highlighted the importance of following burn bans and burn laws, encouraging residents to dispose of charcoal and cigarette butts in fire-safe containers, closely tend to any open flames, and make sure they have “30ft of “defensible space” around structures. Creating defensible space includes clearing yard debris like dead trees or limbs, large bushes, and leaves away from their homes, garages, and barns.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) suggests keeping the first five feet closest to a home or structure clear of flammable materials such as wood mulch, leaves, pine needles, and wooden furniture. They also encourage maintaining the structure by replacing shingles and broken siding and keeping decks, carports, and garages in good condition to minimize the chance of embers entering the space and igniting a fire.
NFPA says the space five to thirty feet from the home should minimize or delay the spread of any fires. Adding cement, dirt, or stone surfacing and breaking up landscaping can help slow fire spread.
The caller’s information determines the fire department’s next steps when a fire is reported. The number of units responding and the type of fire vehicles are based on the information provided by the caller and water availability in the area. The first vehicle on the scene is responsible for assessing the situation and calling in any additional support.
Brady said Stafford County has five brush trucks and five tankers; brush trucks are smaller, which allows them to reach more challenging locations. Tankers move more significant amounts of water to areas without easy access to hydrants, and the Department of Forestry can also provide additional support if needed. Responders also continually monitor the situation to determine if evacuations may be necessary.
Brady said the goal in responding to brushfires is to contain and extinguish the fire quickly. Using hand rakes and digging fire lines helps contain the spread of the fire; in areas with rugged terrain, the department may borrow bulldozers from the Department of Forestry to cut fire lines.
Stafford firefighters all train with brush trucks and learn brushfire management tactics. They also have continuous training on managing rural water supply issues, such as when they must secure water sources in areas without fire hydrants.
Stafford County also coordinates with local, state, and federal agencies to coordinate planning and training for all emergencies and establish public communication and methods for requesting additional resources or equipment when needed. They can partner with other agencies in the event of a more significant fire in the area and send Stafford firefighters to different places in need.
In March 2024, Stafford sent two brush trucks to assist Page County during an outbreak of fires across the Commonwealth. In 8 days, 92 wildfires burned over 12,700 acres across Virginia.
Join Uriah Kiser, founder and publisher of Potomac Local News, as he sits down with Dayna-Marie Miles, the newest member of the Manassas City School Board.
In this engaging episode, Dayna-Marie shares her journey to the school board, her priorities for education in Manassas City, and her vision for fostering open communication between the board and the community.
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The property, once proposed as the location for a large indoor sports and recreation facility, is now part of a broader development plan. County officials aim to aggregate the land with four adjacent parcels, totaling nearly 50 acres of county- and state-owned land, including existing commuter parking lots. The mission is to transform the area into a community hub that harmonizes living, working, and leisure spaces while generating jobs and tax revenue.
Known colloquially as Prince William Landing, the area was previously considered as a potential site for a new Washington Commanders football stadium alongside another location near Potomac Mills mall. Both sites were discussed as part of efforts to keep the team in Northern Virginia after its lease on FedEx Field expires in 2027. However, those plans did not materialize.
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Germanna Community College (GCC) hosted a ribbon cutting at its new Stafford expansion today, January 23, 2025. The event marked the opening of two buildings in Stafford: the Barbara J. Fried Building at 10 Center Street and the Kevin L. Dillard Health Sciences Building at 25 Center Street.
GCC was established in 1970 as part of Virginia’s Community College System and has locations in Culpeper, Locust Grove, Fredericksburg, and Stafford. The school's website says over 13,000 students are enrolled.
The new expansion added 74,000 square feet to the campus with a $20 million investment. GCC plans to double enrollment in allied health services, like nursing. They will also expand their cybersecurity, IT, general education, and dual enrollment programs.
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The preliminary hearing for Tryevon Davis, one of three men charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 43-year-old Jason Thomas Blake in Dumfries, has been delayed due to the pending completion of the Medical Examiner’s report. This critical evidence is being handled by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Northern District office.
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A debate over proposed legislation targeting panhandling in road medians sparked a spirited discussion among Stafford County Supervisors during their January 21 meeting. The proposed bill, sponsored by Delegate Paul Milde (R-64, Stafford County), seeks to impose fines on motorists and pedestrians who exchange items in roadway medians to improve safety and reduce traffic disruptions.
The legislation was also a topic of discussion on the Potomac Local News Podcast, where Milde elaborated on his rationale behind the bill in an interview with Publisher Uriah Kiser.
Safety and Traffic Flow Concerns
During the podcast, Milde emphasized the safety and traffic issues posed by panhandling in medians.
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A speeding incident escalated into a high-speed pursuit Wednesday, January 21, 2025, on Interstate 95, according to Virginia State Police spokesman Matthew Demlein.
At 11:33 a.m., a Virginia State Police trooper attempted to stop a silver sedan traveling northbound on I-95 near the 157-mile marker in Prince William County for speeding—clocked at 93 mph in a 60-mph zone. The driver refused to stop, prompting a police pursuit.
During the chase, the sedan struck the mirror of another vehicle, causing minor damage, but no injuries were reported. The pursuit continued onto eastbound Interstate 495 and ultimately ended at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, marking the Maryland state line. At that point, the pursuit was terminated.
Virginia State Police have not released additional details about the driver or whether charges are pending.
Hat tip to Potomac Local News sponsor Mark Worrilow of Fathom Realty—the best darn realtor in Northern Virginia—for tipping us off to this story while on his way to meet a client.
A recent cybersecurity incident affecting PowerSchool, a global provider of education administration software, has raised concerns for school systems across the country, including Fredericksburg City and Manassas City Public Schools. PowerSchool confirmed that its internal systems were breached in late December, resulting in unauthorized access to data involving students and educators from hundreds of school divisions.
PowerSchool, widely used by schools worldwide, supports over 18,000 institutions, serving more than 60 million students. The platform handles essential administrative functions such as attendance tracking, grade reporting, and student data management. While PowerSchool has restored its systems’ security, the breach underscores the vulnerability of sensitive educational information.
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Welcome to the Potomac Local News podcast! In this episode, Uriah Kiser sits down with Seth Hendler-Voss, Director of Prince William County Parks and Recreation, to discuss exciting developments in local parks, including the Dove’s Landing Project.
Learn about:
- The $10M initiative transforming Dove’s Landing into a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Plans for water access, hiking trails, and preserving biodiversity.
- Community feedback from recent public meetings.
- The challenges and vision for future park expansions, including Sinclair Mill Park and historic property acquisitions.
- How you can get involved with the State of the Parks Address on February 13 at Forest Park High School.
Discover the natural gems of Prince William County and the efforts to balance conservation with recreation.
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