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Seal of the Governor
For Immediate Release: March 23, 2024
Contacts: Office of the Governor: Christian Martinez, Christian.Martinez@governor.virginia.gov

Governor Glenn Youngkin Initiates Emergency Response Effort for Fires Impacting Page County, Surrounding Communities

RICHMOND, VA – In coordination with State Legislators and Page County leadership, Governor Youngkin initiated a Regional Emergency Response Effort supporting firefighting efforts in Page County and surrounding communities. Governor Glenn Youngkin today released the following statement on the fire response efforts:    

“On Friday, after further coordinating with State legislators and Page County leadership we initiated a Regional Emergency Response Effort to deploy funding and resources against fires impacting Page County, beginning with fuel trucks that arrived overnight. We are providing support with meals and provisions, bringing in additional volunteer firefighter capacity to give our brave firefighters who have been working through the nights some respite. Recovery Support Teams through VDEM will be in place today to meet with local authorities and initiate damage assessments. Additionally, VDEM is also deploying a Logistics Support team to further assist Page County and VDOF on any other resource needs. This response is directed most acutely in Page County and we are continuing to closely coordinate with local emergency response teams with the fires burning in the surrounding areas of Rockingham, Augusta, Highland and Shenandoah to ensure that resources and capabilities remain available. Since Wednesday, the Virginia Department of Forestry, Department of Emergency Management and State Police have been an integral part of coordinating a unified approach to this complex firefighting effort. There continue to be heroic efforts by our firefighters and it's a testament to their courage, commitment and service to their communities and all Virginians,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.

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