The North Zone Complex covers six wildfires burning in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests and on state and private land in West Virginia and Virginia. They are:

1. Waterfall Mountain/Shenandoah Forest/211 Fire (6,206 acres, 20% contained) – Firefighters have tied the west side of the fire into a previous burn area. They will monitor and mop up fireline today. Crews will continue to construct containment lines on the south and east sides, cold trail, and put in line where possible to secure those edges. They will also scout for green pockets. Helicopter operations could continue along the northeast portion of the fire. The Virginia Department of Forestry is managing the east side of the fire, north and south of U.S. 211.
2. Waites Run Fire (3,760 acres, 0% contained) – Firefighters have completed work on the southwest side of the fire. Crews will look for opportunities on the east side to tie those lines into existing roads. That could open up a possible green area that may need to be burned out in the next few days. Aircraft will continue to work there today. Hemlocks remain a concern. Expert fellers are arriving to cut down hazard trees. 
3. Capon/Brush Run Fire (2,559 acres, 45% contained) – Heavy fuels continue to smolder in the fire’s interior. Firefighters today will check the dozer line on the north side of the fire, as well as look for green pockets. Crews could potentially burnout those areas in the next few days once they dry out. They will also put in dozer line on the west side, check and verify the status of the east edge, and tie in with the state.
4. Edith Gap/Serenity Ridge Fire (1,148 acres, 8% contained) – Firefighters will put dozer and hand line along the northeast edge. Containment is expected to be higher tomorrow once crews have checked and secured existing lines. 
5. Cove Mountain Fire (75 acres, 70% contained) – The fire is completely surrounded by handline. Firefighters continue to monitor the fire.
6. New Start at Runions Creek (9 acres) – Firefighters will scout the fire today and work to contain it.

Air attack will begin flying around 2 p.m. today to check the overall situation on the fires.

The cause of the fires is undetermined but under investigation.

Resources 

• 2 Type 1 crews    
• 2 Type 2IA crews       
• 3 Type 1 and 3 Type 3 helicopters     
• 21 engines              
• 5 dozers      
• 282 personnel

Weather 

Today will start with below-freezing temperatures and gusty northeasterly winds which could reach 25 mph. The day will be sunny but cool as a high-pressure system covers the region. Breezy winds will gradually slacken throughout the day. With drier air moving in, relative humidity will slip into the 30% range in the afternoon. Tonight, winds will be lighter. Monday will also be sunny and dry with mainly terrain-driven winds on the slopes and light east winds on the ridges. Temperatures will warm into the 50s.

Fire Behavior 

Full sunshine will dry fuels somewhat today. However, fire danger and potential remain low. Fuels may dry enough for fire to potentially spread at low intensities in the mid-afternoon. Significant fire spread or intensity is not expected. Isolated smokes are likely during the afternoon hours.

Evacuations

No evacuations are in place.

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

Hwy. 211 is expected to reopen at 8 p.m. today.

Smoke and Air Quality

Air quality is currently good. Additional 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. 

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

Open the documents or go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gwj/home/?cid=fseprd1169242 for closure information.

Today, at 7 a.m., the Southern Area Complex Incident Management Gold Team, led by Incident Commander Debbie Beard, joined the Virginia Department of Forestry and the West Virginia Division of Forestry in managing the North Zone Complex. The Gold Team thanks all the firefighters and other resources for their excellent work on managing the multiple wildfires in the area during the last few days. The team also expresses condolences to the families who have lost homes and other structures.

Fire Update

The North Zone Complex covers six wildfires burning in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests and on state and private land in West Virginia and Virginia. They are:

1. Waterfall Mountain/Shenandoah Forest/211 Fire (5,692 acres) – Yesterday, firefighters worked on the south and west sides of the fire to tie it in with a previous burn area on the northwest all the way around to Hwy. 211. On the south end of the fire, crews are working behind the homes there. The Virginia Department of Forestry is managing the east side of the fire, north and south of Hwy. 211. Residents in the area of Sundance Retreat, New Market have been asked to evacuate. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/shencosheriff.
2. Waites Run Fire (3,760 acres) – Firefighters have completed work on the east side of the fire. Today, they will continue to work on structure protection along the southwest side. Crews will scout the northeast and east sides of the fire to explore ways to pull containment lines together.
3. Capon/Brush Run Fire (2,559 acres) – Crews have surrounded the outer perimeter of the fire and are working in areas on the northside where fire has moved beyond the intended control line. Firefighters continue to look for natural barriers to establish a containment box around the fire. 
4. Edith Gap/Serenity Ridge Fire (829 acres) – Firefighters are working along the southwest side to tie it in with the road system going west and south into a previous burn area. On the north side, toward Kennedy Peak, firefighters have a plan in place to continue work there. Firefighters were able to protect the Kennedy Peak observation tower.
5. Cove Mountain Fire (75 acres) – This fire is 100% contained. Firefighters continue to patrol and mop up.
6. New Start at Runions Creek (9 acres) – Firefighters will scout the fire today and work to contain it quickly.

Firefighters have tied the Waites Run and Edith Gap/Serenity Ridge Fires into an existing fuels treatment area that has reduced the risk of fire spread.

The cause of the fires is undetermined but under investigation.

Weather 

Overnight approximately 0.25 - 0.5 inch of rain fell across the region along the I-81 corridor. Another 0.25 inch is possible before the rain event ends around midday. After that, cooler air will bring wind gusts up to 40-45 mph on the ridge tops and 30-35 mph in the valleys late into the evening.

Fire Behavior 

Rain fell on all fires overnight so minimal fire behavior is expected today. The fires east of Hwy. 81 received some rain, although fires west of Hwy. 81 may not have received as much. As a result, when the sun comes out later today and wind gusts pick up, some fire activity could occur on the fires west of I-81.  

Evacuations

Residents in the area of Sundance Retreat, New Market have been asked to evacuate. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/shencosheriff.

Smoke and Air Quality

Air quality is currently good. Additional information is available at www.airnow.gov. 

Safety

We ask that public to avoid areas with active fire for your 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

On Mar. 20-21 firefighters completed 47 acres of pile burning along the M1 Road. The units are still producing light smoke and heat in the interior, but there is no threat to the containment lines. As of this morning’s report, the burn piles were receiving precipitation, and the ground is wet. No additional ignitions are planned for today, and the units will remain in patrol status over the weekend and into next week. Low-intensity prescribed fires like this mimic the role of fire in the natural environment and help to reduce the hazardous build-up of fuels.