Single Publication

Contact Information

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

Statistics

• Acres: 3,937 
• Containment: 61%
• Location: 970 Quaker Run Road, Syria, VA 22727
• Date of Origin: October 24, 2023 
• Cause: Undetermined
• Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 0
• Crews: 6
• Helicopters: 1
• Engines: 4
• Dozers: 1
• Personnel: 160

Fire Activity

Thanks to the excellent work done by firefighters over the last few days, containment lines around the fire held during the day yesterday. A small area in the fire’s eastern section experienced reburn, which firefighters were able to put out quickly (approximately 0.25 acre located about 200 yards inside the containment line). Crews also blew leaves off the entire eastern containment line to ensure no additional reburn would occur. A helicopter did a reconnaissance flight across the fire and saw only one smoke, which was at least 350 yards inside the containment line. Firefighters dismantled pumps and hoses at Camp Hoover, also known as the Historic Rapidan Camp—National Park Service, which is no longer threatened. 

As of 8 p.m. last night, the Quaker Run Fire is no longer in unified command. The Southern Area Gold Complex Incident Management Team continues to manage the fire on lands within the Shenandoah National Park. The Virginia Department of Forestry continues to manage the fire on private lands. 

Today, firefighters under the command of the Gold Team will repair trails within the park, including trails to Camp Hoover; remove pumps and hoses at Camp Hoover; and assist National Park Service trail crews as needed. They also will continue to monitor and patrol containment lines. 

For information about fire management activities on private lands, follow www.facebook.com/ForestryVA. For information about fire management activities on National Park Service lands, follow www.facebook.com/shenanadoahNPS 

Weather 

Today will be mostly cloudy with humidity this morning around 80%, dropping to about 40% this afternoon. High temperatures will be in the mid- to upper 50s with southwest winds at 5-10 mph with occasional gusts up to 14 mph in the afternoon and along the ridges.

Fire Behavior

Clouds and somewhat higher humidity will keep fine fuel moistures slightly higher today as compared to yesterday. Fuels will not be quite as volatile. Reburn activity is still possible, but overall should be less than yesterday. Isolated smokes will likely remain visible across the fire footprint. Smoldering, creeping or ground fire is also possible. 

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

Voluntary evacuations remain in place for Finks Hollow Road, north of Route 681.

Smoke

Air quality is currently good. Additional information is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/dc5a2d56?

Closures

Shenandoah National Park

The Harry S. Byrd, Sr. Visitor’s Center remains open. The center was scheduled to close due to a power outage for firefighter safety. The power was restored prior to the scheduled closing. For hours and additional information, please visit https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm.

The following closuresremain in effect in ShenandoahNational Park:

• Rapidan Camp (also known as Historic Camp Hoover) 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

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.