Department of Forestry update on efforts to fight several Virginia wildfires
Since the start of the fall fire season on Oct. 15, the Virginia Department of Forestry has responded to 113 wildfires that have burned more than 12,000 acres.
Since the start of the fall fire season on Oct. 15, the Virginia Department of Forestry has responded to 113 wildfires that have burned more than 12,000 acres.
A Bedford County fire is leading to some trail closures on National Forest lands as 57 firefighters and support staff work to try to extinguish the flames.
Forty firefighters and support staff are working to get control of the Matts Creek Fire, which is burning on 15 acres south of the James River in Bedford County within the James River Face Wilderness on the Jefferson National Forest.
The Virginia Department of Forestry continues to battle several wildfires in central and southwest Virginia.
Shenandoah National Park has closed the Rapidan camp area near the eastern boundary in the central section of the park due to a wildfire.
Rockbridge County has issued an open-air burn ban, effective immediately. The ban decision was made after consultation with the Departments of Forestry.
Due to dry conditions, Shenandoah National Park has implemented a complete fire ban effective immediately.
Graves Mill Trail and Wilhite Wagon Trail are closed as firefighters continue efforts to suppress the Quaker Run Fire, which started on Oct. 26 in Madison County.
In 2018, fire departments in Virginia responded to an average of 2,333 incidents per day. The fire departments in Augusta County respond to over 20,000 calls every year from 19 fire stations.
Firefighters from the Virginia Department of Forestry and partner departments continue containment efforts on the now 390-acre fire in Madison County.