Incident Media Photographs

Firefighters use strategic firing operations to bring uncontrolled fire to a more manageable location within fire control lines. Strategic firing operations are also used to bring fire to a specific control feature (road, trail, handline, dozer line) where firefighters can safely and effectively manage and monitor the fire. Strategic firing operations can be conducted on the ground by hand, by helicopter or drone when conditions are too dangerous to place firefighters in the area. The steep terrain and topography of the area play a significant role in determining our current tactics, as well as the sheer number of wildland urban interface areas along three of the five fires. (Photo by Southern Area Gold Team Operations Section Chief Mark Jamieson)

Most small animals find refuge underground during fires. This firefighters saved a mouse from a stump before strategic firing operations began on the Waites Run Fire on 3/26/24. (USFS photo by John Colyer)

The Southern Area Complex Incident Management Gold Team, Virginia Department of Forestry and West Virginia Division of Forestry are all working on the North Zone Complex. 

Firefighters used uncrewed aerial systems (drones) to assist checking fire lines in steep rocky terrain in the Waterfall Mountain fire. (USFS Photo by Dusty Kavitz.)

Firefighters used strategic firing operations on Waites Run and Capon Fires fire areas on 3/26/24 to bring uncontrolled fire to a more manageable location within fire control lines. Strategic firing operations are also used to bring fire to a specific control feature (road, trail, handline, dozer line) where firefighters can safely and effectively manage and monitor the fire. Strategic firing operations can be conducted on the ground by hand, by helicopter or drone when conditions are too dangerous to place firefighters in the area. The steep terrain and topography of the area play a significant role in determining our current tactics, as well as the sheer number of wildland urban interface areas along three of the five fires. (USFS photo by Nick Holschbach)