The Shadow
Three fires on National Forest land in Alleghany, Bath and Botetourt counties are being fought today. All three fires were reported Tuesday.
Over 125 acres are involved in the three fires in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. The fires are located on Fore Mountain in Alleghany County approximately 4 miles northeast of Covington; 4 miles northwest of Warm Springs in Bath County and northwest of the Roaring Run Recreation Area in Botetourt County.
The largest fire involves over 100 acres and is in the Jefferson National Forest in Botetourt County. Public Information Officer with the U. S. Forest Service’s Eastern Divide Ranger District in Blacksburg Barbara Walker said this morning the Roaring Run fire was caused by a lightning strike and was reported around 2 p. m. Tuesday.
Currently forest personnel are scouting the fire which is about 1/2 mile from the recreation area. In addition to personnel from the Eastern Divide District, firefighters include the Virginia Department of Forestry and the Augusta County Hot Shots.
Walker said no structures are endangered. She said the top priority is the safety of firefighters and the second priority is natural resource protection.
“We are hoping the weather will cooperate and maybe tomorrow we will get some rain. That can make a big difference,” Walker said.
The fire in Bath County northwest of Warm Springs has covered over 25 acres and was not contained as of this morning. The fire was reported Tuesday and the cause is undetermined.
Sharon Mohney, fire information officer for the Warm Springs and James River Ranger Districts, said over 20 personnel and one dozer are at the fire which is located above the Jackson River. She said a steep mountain rises above the river and additional firefighting resources have been ordered.
The fire is located in the George Washington National Forest’s Warm Springs Ranger District. Mohney said the steep terrain may hamper containment efforts. Assisting the Forest Service in constructing a fireline are the Virginia Department of Forestry, Cold Springs Correctional Institution and local volunteer fire departments.
The smallest of the three fires is on Fore Mountain northeast of Covington and was reported Tuesday. Cause of the fire, which is not contained, is unknown. The fire is in the George Washington National Forest’s James River Ranger District.
Mohney said three acres are involved and 12 personnel from the Forest Service are at the scene constructing a fireline. She said steep terrain and dead trees killed by gypsy moths may hamper containment efforts.
She added that the safety of the public and firefighters is the Forest Service’s top priority.
