Single Publication

Individual Fire Updates—16,040 total acres (increase in acres due to previous strategic firing operations)

1. Waterfall Mountain/Shenandoah Forest/211 West Fire (6,399 acres, 87% contained) Shenandoah and Page Counties, VA – Firefighters will continue to patrol and remove snags (dead, standing, hazardous trees) along containment lines to ensure public safety. They will continue to mop up and patrol the fire today.
2. Waites Run Fire (6,223 acres, 75% contained) Hardy County, WV –Firefighters will mop up and patrol today along existing containment lines. 
3. Capon/Brush Run Fire (2,422 acres, 95% contained) Rockingham County, VA – Firefighters will continue to monitor, patrol and conduct suppression repair on the fire. 
4. Edith Gap/Serenity Ridge Fire (841 acres, 76% contained) Shenandoah and Page Counties, VA – Firefighters will continue to mop up and patrol the fire today, as well as continue suppression repair.
5. Cove Mountain Fire (155 acres, 100% contained) Hardy County, WV – This fire remains in patrol and monitor status. 

The cause of the fires is undetermined and under investigation.

Resources assigned to the fire include 1 Type 1 Crew, 9 Type 2 Crews, 1 Type 2IA crew, 2 Type 3 helicopters, 11 engines, 3 dozers and 243 personnel.

Weather 

Drier air will begin to move over the complex area today with gusty northwesterly winds expected behind a cold front. The incoming cooler and drier airmass will hold temperatures in the low-to-mid 50s with relative humidity dropping down into the 30-40% range. There is a low chance for rain over the complex area mainly toward the eastern fires as a storm system tracks up the East Coast. This storm will bring a mostly cloudy day with some peaks of sun possible later in the day. Behind the coastal storm, incoming cool and dry air will create even gustier westerly winds, especially on the ridges and low relative humidity on Friday under sunny skies.

Fire Behavior 

Significant fire spread is not expected today. However, fuels will begin to dry considerably, especially if the sun comes out. Fire movement could be possible during the afternoon in a sunny, exposed location. Special attention should be paid to any containment line that has unburned fuel between the fire’s edge and containment line. A potentially windy day on Friday means that firefighters should address heat sources near containment lines/pockets of unburned fuel. Fuels will dry during the day today and be readily available on Friday.

Smoke and Air Quality

Air quality information is available at www.airnow.gov. 

Safety

We ask the public to avoid areas with active fire for their own safety and to allow firefighters to work safely. Public and firefighter safety is always our top priority. In addition, please do not fly drones near or over a wildfire. Drones and firefighting aircraft are a dangerous mix and could lead to accidents or slow down wildfire suppression, including water drops. If you fly, we can’t. 

Closures on the National Forests are in effect - see https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gwj/home/?cid=fseprd1169242

Burn Ban

Virginia’s 4 p.m. Burning Law remains in effect until April 30, 2024. It bans open-air burning before 4 p.m. if the fire is within 300 feet of the woods or dry grass which could carry fire to the woods. Burning is allowed between 4 p.m. and midnight as long as the burner takes proper precautions and attends the fire at all times. For more information, please visit https://dof.virginia.gov/wildland-prescribed-fire/fire-laws/4-pm-burning-law.