Black churches span the Mountain State, from Harpers Ferry to Charleston. But maintaining these sites is a matter of preserving both architecture and culture.
Two helicopters and several National Guard personnel were deployed to Hardy County on Friday.
They aim to assist the West Virginia Division of Forestry and other emergency response personnel in quenching the blazes.
The deployment of National Guard personnel follows Gov. Jim Justice’s state of emergency declaration Thursday afternoon.
The National Guard said more than 4,000 acres of land has burned as of Friday.
Helicopters in use by the National Guard can hold 630 gallons of water each, which personnel then disperse over wildfires from above. This helps target areas of the wildfires that are unsafe for emergency responders to approach on the ground.
“Our aircrews have extensive experience in helping to combat wildland fires,” said Bill Crane, adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard in a press release Thursday.
“We will do all we can to help bring these fires under control to protect lives and property in the impacted communities,” he said.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is making it easier for people to get help in a disaster. FEMA reduced some eligibility criteria for receiving support. Plus, it created funds for serious needs and housing relief.
Flooding, landslides and tornadoes swept West Virginia in April. FEMA has declared the events a major disaster, allowing residents to apply for federal aid for damages.
As part of the settlement, Norfolk Southern is required to make safety improvements that were in a bill the Senate Commerce Committee approved last year.