Single Publication

Daily Update for November 9, 2023 

Statistics 

Acres: 3,700 
Containment: 40% 
Location: 970 Quaker Run Road, Madison, VA 22727 
Date of Origin: October 26, 2023 
Cause: Undetermined 
Structures Destroyed: 0 

Resources 

Crews: 9 
Helicopters: 4 
Engines: 9 
Dozers: 4 
Personnel: 220 

Fire Activity 

Yesterday at 9 a.m., the Southern Area Gold Complex Incident Management Team joined the Virginia Department of Forestry in unified command of the Quaker Run Fire. The Gold Team thanks the Virginia Department of Forestry’s Type 3 Incident Management Team for their dedication and hard work on the Quaker Run Fire.  

Firefighters held and strengthened containment lines yesterday. Crews successfully conducted a strategic firing operation northeast of Camp Hoover (Rapidan Camp) to the north towards Dark Hollow Trail. Helicopters assigned to the fire made over 50 water drops to slow the fire’s progress, On the fire’s east side, firefighters and hand crews continued to hold containment lines and mopping up. Every effort is being made to protect the historic Camp Hoover. Firefighters put fire hoses and water tanks around the structure so they are ready to respond if the fire moves in that direction.  

Today, firefighters may conduct additional firing operations south of Dark Hollow Trail to prevent fire spread to the northeast.  The fire is cooler north of the Rapidan Family Camp (privately owned) to the east and southeast, adjacent to the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area. In those areas, crews will continue to monitor and improve containment lines, including removing snags, mopping up and patrolling. Bulldozers, engines and hand crews continue to work off of Finks Hollow Road protecting structures, improving fireline, mopping up and patrolling. Helicopters are available again today to support firefighters on the ground, including two National Guard Black Hawks. However, they may be grounded by high winds later in the day. 

Weather and Fire Behavior 

Near-record temperatures in the low 80s with breezy conditions are expected today with 15 mph winds and gusts up to 30 mph. A cold front will pass through the area and winds will shift from the SW, W and NW. Relative humidity is expected to drop to critical levels of 30-35%. Tomorrow, conditions should improve with increased cloud cover and higher relative humidity.   

The fire is expected to remain active. The chance of embers and leaves blowing across firelines is significant. Burning conditions will be elevated all day.  

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 

Smoke continues to impact the area around the Quaker Run Fire. In the 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 are strenuous trails requiring prolonged heavy exertion. Smoke sensitive groups are advised to avoid these trails. All visitors are encouraged to take precautions as conditions can change quickly. Additional information is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/l/xxx_nz5bvpxt?.  

Closures 

Shenandoah National Park 

As of November 7, 2023, the following closures are in effect in the Shenandoah National Park: 

• Rapidan Camp area near the eastern boundary in the central 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 

Temporary Flight Restrictions 

As of November 6, 2023, 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. 

Contact Information 

Email: 2023_QuakerRun@firenet.gov  
Phone: (540) 613-1809 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.) 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestryVA  
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/vavas-2023-quaker-run-fire