VA Forestry Firefighter Dies in ATV Crash at Wildfire

Funeral services will be held Monday for a Virginia forestry firefighter killed March 9 while battling a 15-acre wildfire in Buchanan County.

Rocky S. Wood was scouting the area to determine where to create a containment line around the perimeter of the fire when the ATV he was riding overturned, said John Miller, director of fire and emergency response.

Wood also was chief of Haysi Volunteer Fire Company. On Friday night, his firefighters and police escorted him home.

“He’s helped us again, volunteer for anything we needed in our agency, you know, be it ice storms, or tree clearing and fallen hurricane or tornado type debris,” Miller told WJHL. 

Miller said Wood was especially helpful as a mentor and ATV instructor for new forest service employees. The pair fought fires together across the region.

Not only did Wood wear a white helmet in Haysi, he also was the vice-mayor. 

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

Wood had been a technician with the forest service since 2016.

VDOF officials said an investigation of the fatal crash is underway.