Single Publication

Final update from the Southern Area Gold Complex Incident Management Team

Tomorrow at 8 a.m., the Southern Area Gold Complex Incident Command Team will transfer command of the North Zone Complex to a local Type 3 Team led by Incident Commander Colten Moor. All of the fires in the North Zone Complex are currently in the mop up and patrol phase. Today firefighters will look for hot spots, remove snags and address other safety concerns, and continue to secure containment lines in light of today’s forecast for high winds and fire danger.

“I thank all of the federal, state, county and local cooperators who have worked side-by-side with us to get the fires to their current condition. We could not have done it without their efforts and support,” said Incident Commander Debbie Beard. “We also want to thank the local communities for their hospitality and for making us feel more than welcome to the area. And we continue to keep those who lost homes or structures during this tragic event in our thoughts and hearts.”

Our team members and the crews, firefighters and other resources leave their families to travel across the country to work on incidents like this every year. It’s what we do. We are proud to have been a part of containing these fires and, hopefully, providing the people who live here a sense of security and the ability to return to their normal lives,” Beard continued. “I feel confident that the incoming team will do an excellent job continuing to contain these fires and conduct the every-important suppression repair.”

Thank you again for welcoming us into your communities. We wish you all well,” she said.

Individual Fire Updates—16,040 total acres

1. Waterfall Mountain/Shenandoah Forest/211 West Fire (6,399 acres, 92% contained) Shenandoah and Page Counties, VA
2. Waites Run Fire (6,223 acres, 75% contained) Hardy County, WV 
3. Capon/Brush Run Fire (2,422 acres, 95% contained) Rockingham County, VA 
4. Edith Gap/Serenity Ridge Fire (841 acres, 76% contained) Shenandoah and Page Counties, VA
5. Cove Mountain Fire (155 acres, 100% contained) Hardy County, WV The cause of the fires is undetermined and under investigation.

Resources 

Resources assigned to the fire include 1 Type 1 Crew, 9 Type 2 Crews, 1 Type 2IA crew, 1Type 3 helicopter, 8 engines, 2 dozers and 210 personnel. 

Weather 

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for the area today. From 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., northwest winds will range from 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Relative humidities are expected to drop into the 15-25% range. In addition, elevated fire danger is forecast due to a combination of high winds and low relative humidity. 

Fire Behavior 

Elevated fire danger today! Strong winds are expected from the west/northwest. Fuels will gradually dry during the day, and by early afternoon should be readily available to carry fire. Any loose, uncontained fire will likely display aggressive fire behavior during the afternoon burning period. Expect rapid rates of spread uphill, with persistent short-range spotting. Fire will likely be difficult to suppress during peak burning period.   

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. If you fly, we can’t. 

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.