The Virginia Department of Forestry announced the death of a Firefighter while fighting a wildfire in Buchanan County.

At approximately 8:30 p.m. March 9 Rocky S. Wood was killed when the All-Terrain Vehicle he was driving overturned while he was scouting for a containment line to battle the fire.

Wood was the cousin of Warren County Fire and Rescue Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Brenda Diehl.

Governor Glenn Youngkin has ordered by email that both United States and Virginia flags should fly at half-staff immediately and remain lowered until sunset Mar. 13 to honor Wood and his service.

Wood was a seven-year veteran of the Virginia Department of Forestry he also worked at the Department of Corrections at one time.

Wood also served as the Haysi Fire Chief and was the Vice Mayor of the town at one time he was 53 years of age with his biography found here.

The cause of the accident that took Wood’s life is still being investigated.