A firefighter with the Virginia Department of Forestry was killed in a crash while operating at the scene of a wildfire, according to a notification of the U.S. Fire Administration.
On Thursday, March 9, 2023, Forest Technician Rocky S. Wood, 54, was at the scene of a 15-acre wildfire in Buchanan County. He was scouting the area to determine where to create a containment line around the perimeter of the fire when the ATV he was driving overturned. Forest Technician Wood died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the accident. He was also the fire chief of the Haysi Volunteer Fire Department in Virginia.
“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.
Forest Technician Wood was a seven-year VDOF employee who worked in the Western Region’s Vansant Office. He 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.
