Single Publication

Statistics

• Acres: 3,700
• Containment: 40%
• Location: 970 Quaker Run Road, Syria, VA 22727
• Date of Origin: October24, 2023 
• Cause: Undetermined
• Structures Destroyed: 0
• Crews: 9
• Helicopters: 4
• Engines: 9
• Dozers: 4
• Personnel: 164

Fire Activity

Yesterday, a strategic firing operation south of Upper Dark Hollow Trail was conducted to prevent fire spread to the northeast. Firefighters were challenged by weather conditions during the day but completed the operation successfully last night. They also held and strengthened containment lines, mopped up and patrolled yesterday and will continue that today. Crews are making every effort to protect Camp Hoover, also known as the Historic Rapidan Camp – National Park Service, by putting fire hoses, water tanks and sprinkler heads in and around the camp.

If weather allows, crews will finish putting in sprinkler heads around Camp Hoover and continue to work north of the privately owned Rapidan Family Camp, adjacent to the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area. They will monitor and improve containment lines, mop up and patrol. Bulldozers, engines and hand crews will continue to improve containment lines, protect structures, mop up and patrol off Finks Hollow Road. 

Weather and Fire Behavior

Yesterday afternoon’s cold front brought gusty winds and isolated showers. Only spotty trace amounts of rain fell on the north side of the fire. Today will be rainy with over a 50% chance of a wetting rain (more than 0.10 inch). Light winds and cool moist conditions should reduce fire behavior substantially. 

Fire Bans

• Madison County has issued a county-wide burn ban. Outdoor burning is prohibited on all private and public land. Violations are punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor as well as potential responsibility for the full amount of all expenses incurred in suppressing such fire. For more information, visit https://www.madisonco.virginia.gov/AlertCenter.aspx.
• Shenandoah National Park has implemented a complete fire ban. Building, attending, maintaining or using an open fire anywhere within the boundaries of the park is prohibited. This ban includes all wood, charcoal, coal or other solid-fuel open air fires and fires in grates, grills, rings or pits in campgrounds, picnic areas, shelters and huts. For more information, visit https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/quaker-run-fire-information.htm.

Evacuations

A voluntary evacuation is in place for homes north of 681 Finks Hollow.

Smoke

Air quality is currently excellent, but conditions can change quickly. In Shenandoah National Park, Whiteoak Canyon and Old Rag Trails are open but at times are impacted by dense smoke which may reach unhealthy to very unhealthy levels. These trails are strenuous and require prolonged heavy exertion. Smoke sensitive groups are advised to avoid these trails. All visitors are encouraged to take precautions. Additional information is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/l/xxx_nz5bvpxt?.

Closures

Shenandoah National Park

The following closures are in effect in Shenandoah National Park:

• Rapidan Camp area near the eastern boundary in the center of the park. The closure includes the area around the historic camp and the trails leading to it including the following:
  • Mill Prong Trail
  • Mill Prong Horse Trail
  • Stony Mountain Trail
  • Fork Mountain Trail
  • Laurel Prong from Cat Knob intersection
  • Upper Dark Hollow Trail (does NOT impact access to falls)
  • The lower Rapidan Fire Road beyond the portion open to bicycles
• Graves Mill Trail from the intersection of the Staunton River Trail to the Rapidan Fire Road
• Wilhite Wagon Trail
• After November 12, Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center across from Big Meadows in the center of the park will be temporarily closed. Power in the area has been turned off for firefighter safety. Interpreters who usually work at this center have moved to Dickey Ridge Visitor Center near Front Royal in the northern part of the park. That center will be open seven days a week while the Harry F. Byrd Visitor Center is closed.

Rapidan Wildlife Management Area – Rapidan Tract

Due to wildfire activity in the area, the Rapidan Tract of Rapidan Wildlife Management Area is temporarily closed in the interest of public safety. In addition, per Code of Virginia § 29.1-521, it is illegal “to kill or capture any wild bird or wild animal adjacent to any area while a field or forest fire is in progress.”

Temporary Flight Restrictions

A temporary flight restriction is in place over the Quaker Run Fire area from the surface up to and including 6,500 feet to provide a safe environment for firefighting. For more information, visit: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_7678.html.

Donations

If you are considering donating to the Quaker Run Fire firefighting efforts, please take them to the Madison County Department of Emergency Medical Services at 1494 N. Main Street, Madison, VA 22727. Thank you.