Single Publication

**Strategic Firing Operations Planned for Today**

Residents will see increased smoke in the Waites Run and Capon Fires fire areas today. Firefighters will 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.

Please follow the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests on Facebook https//www.facebook.come/gwjnf for current information about these operations and potential smoke impacts. We will post notification alerts so surrounding communities will know when smoke is from planned operations.

Individual Fire Updates—14,593 total acres

1. Waterfall Mountain/Shenandoah Forest/211 West Fire (6,257 acres, 29% contained) Shenandoah and Page Counties, VA – Firefighters will identify ridges and roads for use in direct fire line construction. Crews have been improving current lines and progressing to the north and south along private lands. A containment line has been constructed to prevent fire from spreading on the fire’s west side.
2. Waites Run Fire (4,361 acres, 42% contained) Hardy County, WV – Firefighters remain committed to securing and patrolling existing lines on the west and south west sides. Crews will focus on improving handline, dozer lines and existing features in preparation for strategic firing operations. The challenging terrain and fuels make it difficult for firefighters to fight the fire directly.
3. Capon/Brush Run Fire (2,622 acres, 75% contained) Rockingham County, VA – Firefighters have worked hard to establish a good containment line around the north edge of the fire. They continue to look for opportunities to identify and implement dozer line and handline, especially along the western edge of the fire.
4. Edith Gap/Serenity Ridge Fire (1,198 acres, 8% contained) Shenandoah and Page Counties, VA – Firefighters will continue to secure fireline around the southeast side of the fire, monitor and patrol.
5. Cove Mountain Fire (155 acres, 75% contained) Hardy County, WV– Firefighters will continue securing the control line on the southeast edge of the fire. Once this is complete, the fire will move into patrol and monitor status. 

The cause of the fires is undetermined but under investigation.

Resources 

• 2 Type 1 crews    
• 4 Type 2IA crews       
• 3 Type 1 and 3 Type 3 helicopters     
• 12 engines             
• 3 dozers       
• 294 personnel

Weather 

Today will bring increasing clouds ahead of an approaching cold front which could bring rain showers on Tuesday night into Wednesday. The western edge of a coastal storm may then bring some additional light rain on Wednesday night into Thursday. Behind the front and coastal storm, gusty winds are drier conditions are expected for late this week.

Fire Behavior 

Fuels are possibly dry enough to allow for fire to spread at very low intensities, but overall fire danger remains low. A strategic fire operation is expected for the Waites Run Fire. Otherwise isolated smokes stump holes may continue to smolder.

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

Smoke and Air Quality

Air quality may decrease today because of strategic firing operations. Additional information is available at www.airnow.gov. 

Safety

A temporary flight restriction is in place today until midnight from the surface up to and including 6,000 feet MSL to provide a safe environment for the planned strategic firing operations. For more information, please visit https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_1810.html.

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. 

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.