Acres: 5,978 

Start Date: Sunday, November 12, 2023

Cause: undetermined

Containment: 2% 

Total personnel: 184

Location: James River Face Wilderness and Blue Ridge Parkway 

Fuels: Mixed hardwoods, shrubby vegetation, and leaf litter

Residents and motorists in areas south and east of the fire today should expect smoke due to a wind shift.

To protect you and fire personnel, motorists on SR 501 should not stop to observe the fire. Please drive slowly and cautiously due to smoke, wildlife, and firefighting personnel and traffic.

Operations:  Yesterday firefighters continued to build, strengthen, mop up and monitor firelines, focusing on the southeastern side of the fire in anticipation of northwest winds today. They improved completed handline from the James River to the Blue Ridge Parkway. As fire continued to come down to containment lines, firefighters secured and tactically fired, as needed, to maintain and meet control objectives, including bringing fire down to containment lines east of the Pine Ridge Trail. They also assessed structures on private land in the Hunt Camp Road area. Along the southern side of the fire along the Blue Ridge Parkway, they cleared fallen and hazard trees and logs that rolled onto the roadway. In the Sulphur Springs area on the southwest side of the fire, the fire grew slowly, flanking. Firefighters kept the fire in check, holding it up in the Sulphur Springs drainage. Along the western side of the fire, bulldozers from the Glenwood Pedlar Ranger District cleared all but 1,500 feet of fireline along the Glenwood Horse Trail. This made it accessible for firefighting vehicles to manage fire spread as it comes down to control lines and features using tactics such as tactical firing. Areas on the northern side of the fire were scouted for potential firelines. 

Today work will continue to focus on holding the fire along the south and southeast with the potential for northwest winds to push fire in those directions. This includes a structure protection group that will protect the most threatened structures along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Hunt Camp Road. Crews will work to strengthen the handline from the James River to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Firefighters will patrol the Blue Ridge Parkway for burning material rolling into the roadway or spot fires to “hold on to what we’ve gained,” as Operations Section Chief Troy Floyd said. They will continue to keep the fire in check where it was active yesterday in the Sulphur Springs area.  Areas on the north side of the fire continue to back down and naturally check against the James River.  Firefighters continue to monitor its spread from lookout locations and from the air. As personnel and equipment arrive, structure protection along the western side of the fire will be assessed. Firefighters will continue to work throughout the night to monitor and contain the fire.

People and equipment on the fire include 2 hand crews, 9 engines, 3 large helicopters and 1 drone. 

Weather and Fire Behavior

Last night’s rain and higher humidities will slow fire activity this morning. By early afternoon relative humidity will quickly drop, and burnable vegetation will dry out. “If we were playing football it would be halftime and we’d be in the lead,” stated Safety Mike Cook in the morning briefing, “but with the expected weather today we all need to be defensive.”  Winds will be out of the northwest 10-15 mph with gusts to 25 mph. A Fire Watch is in effect today due to a combination of gusty northwest winds and critically low humidity. By afternoon, humidities will be 15-20% increasing fire activity and smoke. Temperatures will be in the upper 50s.

With higher winds and lower humidity, firefighters will be vigilant today looking for spots outside containment lines staying ahead of fire progression. The potential for very active fire behavior exists, especially in pine trees with low branches and areas where dead trees and leaves are falling. Areas of unburned vegetation between the fire’s edge and control lines are also of concern.

Smoke and Air Quality:  Heavy smoke is likely in communities and along roadways southeast of the fire today. An incident air resource advisor issues smoke reports at https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook For more information on air quality visit AirNow.gov. Air monitoring equipment has been installed in Big Island and Bedford. Monitor installation is planned at Natural Bridge State Park today.

Closures and Restrictions: The entire James River Face Wilderness is closed to all public use. 

Road Closures: Petites Gap Road (FSR35) is closed to all public use between the Belfast Trailhead and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Arnold Valley Road (SR 781) is closed for firefighter and public safety.

Blue Ridge Parkway Temporary Closure: The Blue Ridge Parkway is closed from milepost 66.3, near US Highway 501, to milepost 85.9, at VA Route 43 until further notice. Park visitors should plan for a detour from the north or south using adjacent routes and Interstate 81.  

Closures: The James River Face Wilderness and all associated trails, including a section of Appalachian National Scenic Trail, are closed to all public use due to the on-going wildland fire. 

The following areas are temporarily closed to allow for public and fire fighter safety:

• Locher Tract
• Glenwood Horse Trail (FT#3004) from the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Hellgate Trailhead
• Appalachian Trail (FT #1) from James River Foot Bridge to Petites Gap Road (FR #35)
• James River Foot Bridge Parking Lot
• Matts Creek Trail (FT #4/Old A.T.)
• Piney Ridge Trail (FT #2)
• Balcony Falls Trail (FT #7)
• Gunther Ridge Trail (FT #8)
• Belfast Trail (FT #9) 
• Sulphur Springs Trail (FT# 3001)

Use caution and obey all road signs for your safety. Motorists should be alert for firefighter vehicles and smoke. 

Fire Restrictions: 

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in effect:  For the protection of public health and safety, the following acts are prohibited on all lands administered by George Washington & Jefferson National Forest. 

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire outside of developed recreation sites. 

2. Possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device. 

Campfires in a Forest Service provided metal fire pit, ring or grill at a developed recreation site are allowed.

INCIDENT STATISTICS:
Current Size: 382 Acres
Current Containment: 0%
Total personnel: 30

HIGHLIGHTS: The Southern Area Blue Incident Management Team assumed command of the fire yesterday at 1:30 PM, Thursday, November 16, 2023.

Firefighters are responding to the Black Bear Fire located in steep, rugged terrain near Interstate 40 at mile marker 3, in Haywood County on the Appalachian Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest. The fire was reported around 9 AM yesterday, November 16 on Interstate 40.

Crews are assessing the area for the construction of primary, alternate, and contingency control hand and dozer lines from I-40 north to the Tennessee state line, as well as identifying needs for structural protection and other values at risk. Additional firefighting resources have been requested and are enroute.

WEATHER: A cold front will approach the region today, with winds shifting from the southeast this morning to the west this afternoon between 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Clouds will gradually increase with wetting showers tonight beginning after sunset. Rain amounts of one-quarter inch to one-half inch are expected overnight. Clouds and showers may linger into the morning Saturday before clearing Saturday afternoon.

FIRE BEHAVIOR: Surface fuels, steep slopes, and wind will support very active fire spread. Heavy fuel concentrations will cause flare-ups and accelerated fire spread rates. Fire behavior characteristics for the day include wind and slope aligned head fire spread including fingering runs on steep slopes. Expect active flanking fire with potential head runs. Sustained backing may produce additional head runs in creek bottoms.

SMOKE: Expect smoke when driving along I-40 near the fire.

EVACUATIONS: None at this time.

CLOSURES AND DELAYS: For public and firefighter safety, the Appalachian Trai is closed from Interstate 40 to Max Patch. Road closures are in effect for Cold Springs Road and Brown Gap Road. Impacts to travel along Interstate 40 are expected. Check current road conditions at drivenc.gov.
 

Communities to the north of the fire can expect clearing this morning with mostly GOOD air quality today and tomorrow. In Big Island VERY UNHEALTHY to HAZARDOUS air quality is expected this afternoon and evening. Winds will bring smoke south of the fire today. Smoke models show the heaviest smoke staying east of Bedford, affecting Forest and Altavista until tonight, but a slight shift could bring dense smoke to either Bedford or Lynchburg so be prepared for periods of UNHEALTHY to VERY UNHEALTHY from Bedford to Lynchburg. If you see or smell smoke you are in smoke. 

The most recent update can be accessed online at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook

On the Upper Lake District, fire personnel completed 48 acres of piles at Westshore this week, which are in patrol status. Burning operations will be slowing down next week over the Thanksgiving holiday, though if precipitations and conditions line up, then crews may potentially continue pile burning in the Westshore project or in the hazard tree machine piles up to 30 acres.

The Quaker Run Fire in Shenandoah National Park and Madison County, Virginia, is 100% contained as of November 17, 2023. Visitors to the Park should be aware of the potential for smoke in the area and look for the latest information on park closures. Burn bans are in effect in the Park and Madison County. Firefighters are monitoring the fire’s perimeter and also repairing trails, roads and other areas as needed. The cause of the fire has not been determined. 

At 8 p.m. on November 16, 2023, the Southern Area Gold Incident Management Team transferred command to a Type 3 team. The phone number for fire information is now 540-999-3500 ext. 3183 and the email is claire_comer@NPS.gov. For information about fire management activities on private lands, follow www.facebook.com/ForestryVA. For information about fire management activities on Shenandoah National Park, follow www.nps.gov/shen

Forest Order: 08-08-24-01 Forest wide fire restrictions

For the protection of public health and safety, the following acts are prohibited on all lands administered by George Washington & Jefferson National Forest. 

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire outside of developed recreation sites. 

2. Possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device. 

Campfires in a Forest Service provided metal fire pit, ring or grill at a developed recreation site are allowed. 

Update for Friday, November 17, 2023

Acres: 3,937
Containment: 100%
Location: 970 Quaker Run Road, Syria, VA 22727
Date of Origin: October 24, 2023 
Cause: Undetermined
Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 0

Fire Activity

At 8 p.m. last night, the Southern Area Gold Incident Management Team transferred command to a Type 3 team. For information about fire management activities on private lands, follow www.facebook.com/ForestryVA. For information about fire management activities on NPS lands, visit https://www.nps.gov/shen or https://www.facebook.com/shenandoahNPS

Today, crews assigned to the Quaker Run Fire will continue to patrol and repair trails, roads and other areas as needed. Clouds and moderate humidity are expected. This will reduce the potential for reburn or escape. The fire continues to burn well inside containment lines in small, localized areas.

One crew will assist Shenandoah National Park with a new approximately 20-acre wildfire in the southern area of the park. Areas near both fires are closed to the public for safety concerns, one of which is fire weakened trees.

Fire Ban

Madison County has issued a county-wide burn ban. For more information, visit https://www.madisonco.virginia.gov/AlertCenter.aspx. 

Shenandoah National Park has implemented a complete fire ban. For more information, visit https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/quaker-run-fire-information.htm.

Smoke

Air quality is currently moderate. Smoke from surrounding fires may contribute to air quality conditions. Additional information is available at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/air/webcams.htm?site=shen

Closures 

Trail closures remain in effect in Shenandoah National Park. For more information, visit https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/quaker-run-fire-information.htm.

The Rapidan Tract of the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area remains closed. 

Contact Information

Email: claire_comer@nps.gov
Phone: 540-999-3500 x.3183
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shenandoahNPS
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/vashp-2023-quaker-run-fire

For information related to activity on the state managed land, contact Greg Bilyeu, Virginia Department of Forestry, 434-981-6761

Acres: 5,148 

Start Date: Sunday, November 12, 2023

Cause: undetermined

Containment: 2% 

Total personnel: 107

Location: James River Face Wilderness and Blue Ridge Parkway 

Fuels: Mixed hardwoods, shrubby vegetation, and leaf litter. 

Residents and motorists in areas near the James River Face Wilderness should expect heavy smoke today. Please use caution when traveling. Please note that tomorrow, areas south and east of the fire should expect smoke due to a wind shift.

Operations:  Yesterday firefighters improved handline from the James River to the Blue Ridge Parkway on the southeast side of the fire. They strengthened firelines south of the fire to Petite’s Gap, including tactical burning, and cleared an old horse trail on the west side of the fire to serve as a containment line.

Today the Southern Area Red Team assumed command of the fire. Fighters will continue to build, improve and mop up firelines and identify areas for making new firelines. They will concentrate on mopping up areas on the southern and eastern side of the fire in anticipation of winds shifting and blowing from the northwest tomorrow. More firefighters and equipment are on the way. Firefighters will work throughout the night to monitor and contain the fire.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Cloudy skies will arrive ahead of an approaching cold front today. Relative humidities will remain moderate today (50 – 70%) with increasing chances for showers through the evening. Rainfall around a tenth of an inch or less are expected. Winds today will be from the south- southwest, around 10 miles per hour, shifting to northwest winds tomorrow. Gusts tomorrow will be up to 25 mph.

Today’s fire behavior will be moderated by high humidity, giving firefighters opportunity to make good progress to contain the fire. However, the potential for active fire behavior exists, especially in areas with pine trees with low branches, large logs on the ground and falling leaves.

Smoke and Air Quality:  Heavy smoke is likely in communities and along roadways northeast of the fire today. For information on air quality visit AirNow.gov. An air resource advisor is working on the incident to  issue smoke outlooks (https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook) and install air monitors in nearby communities.  

Closures and Restrictions: The entire James River Face Wilderness is closed to all public use. 

Road Closures: Petites Gap Road (FSR35) is closed to all public use between the Belfast Trailhead and the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

Blue Ridge Parkway Temporary Closure: The Blue Ridge Parkway is closed from milepost 66.3, near US Highway 501, to milepost 85.9, at VA Route 43 until further notice. Park visitors should plan for a detour from the north or south using adjacent routes and Interstate 81.   

Wilderness Area Closures:  The James River Face Wilderness and all associated trails,  including a section of Appalachian National Scenic Trail, are closed to all public use due to the on-going wildland fire.   

The following areas are temporarily closed to allow for public and fire fighter safety:

• Appalachian Trail (FT #1) from James River Foot Bridge to Petites Gap Road (FR #35)
• James River Foot Bridge Parking Lot
• Matts Creek Trail (FT #4/Old A.T.)
• Piney Ridge Trail (FT #2)
• Balcony Falls Trail (FT #7)
• Gunther Ridge Trail (FT #8)
• Belfast Trail (FT #9) 
• Sulphur Springs Trail (FT# 3001)
• Glenwood Horse Trail (FT#3004) from the Blue Ridge Parkway crossing to the Hellgate Trailhead
• Locher Tract

Use caution and obey all road signs for your safety. Motorists should be alert for firefighter vehicles and smoke. 

Fire Restrictions: 

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in effect:  For the protection of public health and safety, the following acts are prohibited on all lands administered by George Washington & Jefferson National Forest. 

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire outside of developed recreation sites. 

2. Possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device. 

Campfires in a Forest Service provided metal fire pit, ring or grill at a developed recreation site are allowed.

Fire Location:  The Matts Creek Fire is 5 miles southeast of Glasgow, Virginia and 4 miles northwest of Big Island, Virginia.  The fire is located south of US-501 and the James River within the James River Face Wilderness on the Jefferson National Forest. 

The fire is on National Forest and Blue Ridge Parkway lands in Bedford and Rockbridge Counties.

Current Status:  Additional resources continue to arrive to assist in fire suppression efforts. Today, fire fighters constructed additional fire lines and reinforced existing fire lines around the perimeter of the fire. Engines will remain on-scene throughout the night to monitor fire activity. 

Smoke and Air Quality:  Winds will be light tonight and tomorrow so heavy smoke is likely in nearby communities and along roadways.  For information on air quality visit AirNow.gov. There is an air resource advisor assisting who is issuing smoke outlooks (https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook) and installing air monitors in nearby communities. 

Estimated Acreage:  3600 acres

Containment: 2% contained 

Date and Cause Reported: The fire was reported on Sunday, November 12, 2023.   The cause of this fire is undetermined.  

Resources on the Fire:  Approximately 200 firefighters and support staff, this includes 8 fire crews, 8 type-6 engines,  3 Type 1 helicopters.

Cooperators: National Park Service-Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford County Fire & Rescue, Amherst County Public Safety, Rockbridge County Fire-Rescue & Emergency Management, Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Forestry. 

Wilderness Fire Suppression Operations: This fire is burning primarily within the James River Face Wilderness, where motorized equipment and aircraft are normally prohibited, except for emergencies.  Early in the fire response, firefighters were authorized, and have been using chainsaws, leaf blowers, portable pumps and aircraft in their suppression efforts.

Firefighting Priorities: 

• Safety of the public, firefighters, and aviation resources is always the number one priority. 
• Protecting and minimizing threats to all private property including identified properties in and around Hunt Club Road (FSR54), Goff Mountain Road, and Peters Creek Road (SR600) by using manmade features such as trail systems, roads, and other natural barriers. 
• Continuing to establish and reinforce fire control lines around the fire perimeter to reduce the risk of fire spreading to private land. 

Matts Creek Fire Closures:

Road Closures: Petites Gap Road (FSR35) is closed to all public use between the Belfast Trailhead and the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

Blue Ridge Parkway Temporary Closure: The Blue Ridge Parkway is closed from milepost 66.3, near US Highway 501, to milepost 85.9, at VA Route 43 until further notice. Park visitors should plan for a detour from the north or south using adjacent routes and Interstate 81.   

Wilderness Area Closures:  The James River Face Wilderness and all associated trails, including a section of Appalachian National Scenic Trail, are closed to all public use due to the on-going wildland fire.   

The following areas are temporarily closed to allow for public and fire fighter safety:

• Appalachian Trail (FT #1) from James River Foot Bridge to Petites Gap Road (FR #35)
• James River Foot Bridge Parking Lot
• Matts Creek Trail (FT #4/Old A.T.)
• Piney Ridge Trail (FT #2)
• Balcony Falls Trail (FT #7)
• Gunther Ridge Trail (FT #8)
• Belfast Trail (FT #9) 
• Sulphur Springs Trail (FT# 3001)
• Glenwood Horse Trail (FT#3004) from the Blue Ridge Parkway crossing to the Hellgate Trailhead

Use caution and obey all road signs for your safety.  Motorists should be alert for firefighter vehicles and smoke. 

Fire Restrictions:  

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in effect:  For the protection of public health and safety, the following acts are prohibited on all lands administered by George Washington & Jefferson National Forest. 

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire outside of developed recreation sites. 

2. Possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device.

Campfires in a Forest Service provided metal fire pit, ring or grill at a developed recreation site are allowed.

General Fire Information: 

• Safety of the public and firefighters is always the number one priority when dealing with wildfires.
• Homeowners can learn how to make their homes less susceptible to wildfires by visiting:  www.firewise.org 

For fire updates:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/vavaf-matts-creek-fire

Visit forest information for the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests website www.fs.usda.gov/gwj or follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GWJNF 

Current Status:  The Matts Creek Fire is 5 miles southeast of Glasgow, Virginia and 5 miles northwest of Big Island, Virginia.  The fire is located south of US-501 and the James River within the James River Face Wilderness on the Jefferson National Forest. 

The entire fire is on National Forest lands, there are no structures threatened. 

Estimated Acreage:  2500 acres

County:  Bedford County

Containment:  0% contained 

Date and Cause Reported: The fire was reported on Sunday, November 12, 2023.   The cause of this fire is undetermined.  

Resources on the Fire:  Approximately 120 firefighters and support staff, 6 fire crews, 1-hot shot crew, 2 type-6 engines,  3 Type 1 helicopters, and 2 fixed wing air tankers using water only.  

Incident Objectives: 

• Safety of the public, firefighters, and aviation resources is always the number one priority. 
• Protect and minimize threats to all private property and other identified properties in and around Hunt Club Road (FSR54) and Peters Creek Road (SR600) in Bedford County utilizing manmade features such as trail systems, roads, and other natural barriers. 

Smoke and Air Quality:  Winds will be light today so smoke may occur in nearby communities.  For information on air quality visit AirNow.gov

Cooperators: National Park Service-Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford County Fire & Rescue, Amherst County Public Safety, Rockbridge County Fire-Rescue & Emergency Management, Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Forestry. 

Blue Ridge Parkway announces temporary closure from milepost 66.3 to 85.9 to assist crews battling the nearby Matt’s Creek Fire. A full closure from milepost 66.3, near US Highway 501, to milepost 85.9, at VA Route 43, on the Blue Ridge Parkway will go into effect beginning Wednesday evening, November 15, 2023, until further notice. Park visitors should plan for a detour from the north or south using these adjacent routes and Interstate 81.   

Parkway officials are implementing the closure to assist US Forest Service crews fighting the Matt’s Creek Fire. The fire is located within the James River Face Wilderness and currently entirely on National Forest lands within the Jefferson National Forest. This proactive closure is due to worsening smoke impacts in the area and allows crews to stage equipment and conduct operations south of the fire boundary using Parkway lands to access the area. 

Behind closed gates, the Parkway is closed to all uses including motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. The public’s cooperation with these closures helps support the safety of staff, visitors, and fire crews.  

Wilderness Area Closures:  The James River Face Wilderness and all associated trails,  including a section of Appalachian National Scenic Trail, are closed to all public use due to the on-going wildland fire.   

The following areas are temporarily closed to allow for public and fire fighter safety:

• Appalachian Trail (FT #1) from James River Foot Bridge to Petite’s Gap Road (FR #35)
• James River Foot Bridge Parking Lot

Wilderness Trail Closures Continued-

• Matts Creek Trail (FT #4/Old A.T.)
• Piney Ridge Trail (FT #2)
• Balcony Falls Trail (FT #7)
• Gunther Ridge Trail (FT #8)
• Belfast Trail (FT #9) 
• Sulphur Springs Trail (FT# 3001)

Use caution and obey all road signs for your safety. Motorists should be alert for firefighter vehicles and smoke. 

Fire Restrictions:  

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in effect:  For the protection of public health and safety, the following acts are prohibited on all lands administered by George Washington & Jefferson National Forest. 

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire outside of developed recreation sites. 

2. Possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device. 

Campfires in a Forest Service provided metal fire pit, ring or grill at a developed recreation site are allowed.

General Fire Information: 

• Safety of the public and firefighters is always the number one priority when dealing with wildfires.
• Homeowners can learn how to make their homes less susceptible to wildfires by visiting:  www.firewise.org 

For fire updates:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/vavaf-matts-creek-fire

Visit forest information for the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests website www.fs.usda.gov/gwj or follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GWJNF