wildfire Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Kanawha County Commission Seeks Burn Ban Over Drought

As drought conditions become more severe in central West Virginia, some local officials have expressed concern for public safety and a desire for tighter regulations on firemaking.

On Monday, the Kanawha County Commission penned letters to Gov. Jim Justice and Jeremy Jones, director of the West Virginia Division of Forestry. In these letters, the commissioners requested a formal “burn ban” for the county, prohibiting man-made fires while drought conditions persist.

Similar bans are currently active in several other parts of the state, including Fayette, Nicholas and Wirt counties.

Commission President Lance Wheeler, Commissioner Ben Salango and Commissioner Marc Slotnick made the request because “the ongoing extreme drought” brought “dry vegetation and dry, brittle leaves on the ground,” according to a Tuesday press release.

Currently, Kanawha County is experiencing an “extreme drought” according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

With little rain expected in the days ahead, the commission expressed concern that this would put the county at greater risk of wildfires, as residents could have less control over the spread of their burns.

“We implore people not to burn this week,” they wrote. The commission asked residents not to burn trash, and to ensure cigarettes “are completely out before disposal.”

This summer, sparse rainfall has brought challenges to agriculture across the state, leading Justice to declare a state of emergency for all 55 West Virginia counties in July.

In March, dry conditions and strong winds led to the spread of wildfires in the state’s Eastern Panhandle and Potomac Highlands.

Under state law, outdoor burning is prohibited from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 during daytime hours due to increased wildfire risk.

But the governor and state forester can issue a burning ban to address environmental concerns outside that time period — a step that members of the commission are now urging state officials to take.

Rainfall Helps Contain Wildfires, But Problems Persist For Residents

Storms swept West Virginia on Tuesday, providing rainfall over wildfires in the eastern region of the state. Meanwhile, residents are still grappling with property damages on the ground.

Storms swept through West Virginia on Tuesday, knocking down trees and powerlines.

But the rainfall provided an unexpected benefit to communities in the Potomac Highlands and Eastern Panhandle: helping quash fires that have burned for days on end.

Emergency responders are continuing to monitor the region after extensive wildfires burned through more than 5,000 acres in late March.

All of the wildfires have since been contained, which means emergency responders have surrounded them to restrict their spread. But portions of the fire continue to burn, and smaller fires have popped up elsewhere in the state.

Now, the added rainfall has helped emergency responders gain further control over the wildfires, according to Assistant State Forester Linda Carnell.

“We’ve already got over an inch of rain,” she said. “Yes, there are hindrances to too much rain. But, in the long run, this will definitely help get the upper edge on all these fires.”

Still, Carnell said rainstorms are often followed by intense winds. That means residents should remain vigilant about fire safety protocol.

In the meantime, though, she said emergency responders are appreciative of the win.

“It’s a good thing. We’re happy for the rain,” Carnell said. “We definitely needed it.”

A large puddle on Shepherd University’s campus Tuesday following heavy rain. Rainstorms on Tuesday and Wednesday helped further contain wildfires in West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands and Eastern Panhandle.

*Photo Credit: Jack Walker/West Virginia Public Broadcasting*

While the wildfires have been contained, damages continue to affect residents on the ground.

Paul Lewis serves as director of emergency management for Hardy County, one of the areas most affected by the fires. He said the fires have caused significant structural damage, and displaced some residents from their homes.

“We’ve had some houses lost and those people right now are in one of the shelters trying to find a place to relocate,” he said. “There’s at least two families there.”

In addition to homes, several cabins and outbuildings have been destroyed by the flames, he said.

While county officials continue to monitor the situation locally, Lewis said that residents have coordinated with relief organizations to access additional support.

For example, the Catholic Charities of West Virginia has provided resources to residents in need. The Hardy County 4-H Camp, located in Wardensville, has also served as a temporary relief shelter for some residents, he said.

Additionally, Lewis said residents facing damage to their places of residence can contact The American Red Cross of the Greater Shenandoah Valley for further support.

Lewis said the county is still collecting data on the extent of structural damages and further updates will be provided in future.

For more information on wildfire incidents in West Virginia, visit the Division of Forestry’s Fire Report webpage.

Residents affected by the wildfires can contact the Central Appalachian Region of the American Red Cross for support.

April Showers Could Bring Floods, Help Ebb Fires

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a flood watch for the northern two-thirds of the state. The warning extends until Tuesday night with more rainfall and severe weather on the way later in the week. The weather service advises residents to be ready to take action to stay safe. The rainfall could be beneficial, however, for the ongoing fires in the Eastern Panhandle.

John Peck, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, said that residents along waterways anywhere within the flood area need to practice heightened caution and awareness.

“Anybody that’s in those lower lying areas or has interest along creeks, streams and rivers,” Peck said. “Be advised to move any personal property away from those locations.”

The rainfall could be beneficial for the ongoing fires in the Eastern Panhandle.

“The rain will help moisten up the fields,” Peck said. “Which will reduce the potential for wildfire spread. And it should help any wildland firefighters take care of any issues that are lingering out there.”

The wet front is expected to waver north to south throughout the week, rendering it hard to know where some of the heaviest rainfall will likely occur.

“Just important to know that there will be some potential for some heavy rain out there, perhaps some persistent heavy rain for some locations,” Peck said.

Peck said that as the spring progresses and the larger mountain vegetation, like trees, begin leafing the land will be able to absorb more rain. But now, with only smaller vegetation out of winter dormancy, a lot of the rainfall is still running off the mountain.

“This early in the season where you don’t have all the vegetation active, it’s relatively easy to get some overland flooding when you get some heavier rainfall,” Peck said. “But we do have the grasses active, that’ll take care of some of it, but the trees are still just coming into their own.”

W.Va. Wildfires Steadily Decreasing, Air Still Smoky In Areas Due To Virginia Fire

As Wildfires are slowly decreasing in the state, the air is staying smoky in some areas due to a massive wildfire in Virginia.

There are currently an estimated 10,000 acres of active wildfires in the state — down around 5,000 acres over the last two weeks. Last week’s rain reduced the threat of the wildfires spreading and extinguished thousands of acres of active wildfires. Most of the state had around a half inch of rain.

The southern region, where the majority of the fires are, had the most rain.

However, the air is still smoky in much of central and southern West Virginia. Joe Curtis, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the smoke is coming from the Matts Creek Fire in Virginia. The fire is around 10,106 acres and is 27 percent contained.

“It’s still bringing a lot of smoke to us in West Virginia, here today. And it’s going to be increasing here this evening as well,” Curtis said.

Southeasterly winds will be bringing more smoke into central and northern West Virginia throughout the day. More rain is forecasted for this week and is expected to quell fires throughout both states.

“We’re going to get a pretty good soaking rain, about an inch for most areas, and that should be pretty beneficial and should help out with the fires,” Curtis said.

Pendleton County Fire Slowing In Monongahela National Forest

Wet, cool conditions are helping to slow a wildfire in Pendleton County that broke out on Thanksgiving.

The Dry Hollow Fire was first reported early Thursday in the Monongahela National Forest near the community of Upper Tract.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the fire has burned nearly 1,300 acres of both public and privately-owned land. The fire is burning with low to moderate intensity, which is beneficial for some forest species regeneration, including oaks and Table Mountain pine, the agency said.

No structures are threatened. The fire is about 60 percent contained and Forest Service Spokesperson Kelly Bridges said the agency expects fewer firefighters will be needed Tuesday.

Burned areas remain closed to the public. The cause of the fire is under investigation. You can find the lastest on the fire here.

UPDATE: Grant County Wildfire is 90 Percent Contained

Updated on Monday, October 23 at 3:49 p.m.

The nearly 200-acre wildfire in a remote area of Grant County is now 90 percent contained. As of Friday, no smoke or heat has been visible within the fire area.

The North Fork Mountain Trail has also been reopened, and Area and Trail Closure signs have been removed.

Fire officials are still urging visitors and recreators to use caution, however, when traveling through the area.

Over 80 firefighters worked to contain the North Fire that began on October 2, which is located about 12 miles west of Petersburg in the Monongahela National Forest.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Updated on Thursday, October 19 at 3:37 p.m.

A nearly 200-acre wildfire that began almost 20 days ago in Grant County is now 70 percent contained. Some areas in the Monongahela National Forest are still closed to visitors.

Over 80 firefighters have worked to improve firelines and contain the North Fire that began on October 2 in a remote area of Grant County. The wildfire is located about 12 miles west of Petersburg in the Monongahela National Forest.

The National Forest has closed access to forest lands surrounding the fire. This includes areas south and east of the North Fork South Branch of the Potomac River to Smoke Hole Road, and to the Grant-Pendleton County line.

A large portion of the North Fork Mountain Trail is also closed, as well as the entire Landis Trail and Redman Run Trail.

Fire officials are urging caution to drivers and visitors to this area.

Officials say the next significant chance of rain will be early next week.

Updated on Sunday, October 15 at 4:00 p.m.

Forestry officials say a two-week-old wildfire in a remote area of West Virginia is about 50 percent contained. The U.S. Forest Service issued an incident report Sunday for the 198-acre fire in the Monongahela National Forest.

The report crews are working on improving fire lines and keeping them clear from falling leaves. It says predicted higher winds may cause an increase in fire activity.

The wildfire began Oct. 2 in Grant County, about 12 miles west of Petersburg. The fire’s cause remains under investigation.

Unlike quick-moving wildfires in the western U.S., fires in the mostly hardwood forests of Appalachia are slow.

Updated on Wednesday, October 11 at 1:56 p.m.

A nearly 200-acre wildfire in Grant County continues to burn, but fire officials say more of the blaze is being contained thanks to rain and quick action by fire crews.

The North Fire in the Monongahela National Forest was 40 percent contained Tuesday, according to a press release from the forest service.

Firefighters built new fireline along the north end of the fire – west toward North Fork, while firelines were reinforced along the east end.

Containment lines have been completed on the southeast side of the fire near Smoke Hole Road. Firefighters removed snags and hazardous trees Tuesday to improve safety along control lines.

Half an inch of rain is expected Wednesday for the affected area, and officials say it will help, but it will also hinder firefighter operations because of slippery terrain.

The Grant County wildfire began Oct. 2, 12 miles west of Petersburg. The cause is still under investigation.

Updated on Tuesday, October 10 at 9:15 a.m.

Forestry officials say a wildfire in West Virginia continues to burn despite recent rainfall.

The U.S. Forest Service says in an incident report that the 198-acre fire in the Monongahela National Forest was 30 percent contained Monday.

The report says an inch of rain from the remnants of Hurricane Nate fell Sunday night, limiting the fire’s growth. An additional fire crew arrived Monday to help build a fire line.

The wildfire began Oct. 2 in a remote area of Grant County, about 12 miles west of Petersburg.

Officials say the fire is in a treacherous area with falling trees and loose rocks. The Landis Trail and the Redman Run Trail are closed. A large portion of the North Fork Mountain Trail also is closed.

The fire’s cause remains under investigation.

Updated on Friday, October 6 at 3:56 p.m.

A wildfire that began Monday in Grant County has now grown and continues to spread.

The North Fire in the Monongahela National Forest is now estimated at more than 50 acres. Fire crews first responded to the wildfire Monday afternoon in a remote area of Grant County, just 12 miles west of Petersburg.

As of Thursday, officials have upgraded the fire to a ‘Type 3’ fire because of its extended duration and complexity. 25 firefighters have now been assigned to the scene. On Friday, additional crew members were dispatched.

The North Fork Mountain Trail has now been closed to all public entry from the Landis Trail to the Redman Run Trail.

District Ranger Troy Waskey said in a news release he and his team are working closely with Grant County 911, Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department, and other local agencies to contain the fire.

The cause is still undetermined.

In September, the USDA reported 2017 is already the most expensive fiscal year on record for combating wildfires, exceeding $2 billion.

President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for 2018 calls for cuts to the U.S. Forest Service’s wildfire fighting initiative by $300 million.

Original Post:

Fire crews responded to a wildfire Monday afternoon in a remote area of Grant County. At this time, no structures are threatened.

The five-acre North Fire is burning in rugged terrain near North Fork Mountain Trail, approximately 12 miles west of Petersburg on the Monongahela National Forest.

Work continued Tuesday to contain that fire. 15 firefighters are conducting initial fire operations, and visitors are encouraged to avoid Redman Run Trail and portions of the North Fork Mountain Trail.

The ground fire is burning primarily in what’s called the ‘duff layer,’ which is a buildup of years of organic material from leaves, pine needles, and woody debris.

The USDA Forest Service says the cause of the North Fire is still under investigation.

Officials say those recreating in the Monongahela National Forest this fall should use caution. The National Weather Service says much of West Virginia has been abnormally dry.