A series of wildfires in Virginia's Shenandoah County have led to the destruction of at least five homes and have affected over 1,200 acres of land, including 450 acres of timber. The Shenandoah County fire remains 10% contained, with officials reporting over 1,000 acres impacted. The fires, which have prompted evacuations, school closures, and trail shutdowns in the Shenandoah National Park, remain a significant concern despite the containment efforts. The Rocky Branch Fire, burning within the Shenandoah National Park, is one of the larger fires, now covering 1,200 acres. A Complex Incident Management Team, Southern Area Team 1, has been deployed to manage the situation. The Virginia Department of Forestry, alongside local agencies and the U.S. Forest Service, are working under a joint command to contain the fires, which are now 50 to 70% contained. Rainfall expected Friday night and Saturday is anticipated to aid in extinguishing the active blazes, with Cory Swift, a spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Forestry, noting the rain's beneficial impact on containment efforts. No injuries or fatalities have been reported in connection with the fires, which were fueled by gusty winds and low relative humidity.
Progress was also being made - thanks in part to rain - to contain a separate blaze in the same area known as the Rocky Branch Fire, contained mostly within the Shenandoah National Park, according to an update the park shared on social media. https://t.co/vurtwrBg5P
The three larger fires that make up that complex range from 50 to 70% contained and are being managed by a joint command that includes the U.S. Forest Service, Virginia Department of Forestry and local agencies, according to Swift and an update from the agency posted on social…
The fires led to trail shutdowns in the Shenandoah National Park, a smattering of evacuation orders, school closures in at least one hard-hit county, and damage to structures, the full extent of which was not yet clear. https://t.co/vurtwrBg5P
“Without a doubt the rain is helping" said Cory Swift, a spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Forestry, who said the agency had no reports of injuries or fatalities connected with the fires, which sprang up mid-week amid gusty winds and low relative humidity.…
Rain helps contain still-burning Virginia wildfires as state sends more aid. Here's what to know https://t.co/dy94jDvYJn
A Complex Incident Management Team has been called to the Rocky Branch Fire in Virginia. (Southern Area Team 1) The fire is currently 1,200 acres and burning in the Shenandoah National Park. #wildfire #vafire #vawx https://t.co/VKQ2WnMXPA
The Shenandoah County fire remains 10% contained, however, officials said Friday afternoon that over 1,000 acres had been impacted, with several more trails now closed. https://t.co/PoVvIm13M7
The rain coming in Friday night and Saturday is great news for the fire situation in western Virginia and eastern West Virginia. The rain should mostly put active blazes out. Here's what the fire SW of Luray, Va. looked like on Thurs. 📷 Hugh Kenny https://t.co/8yiAhxkuHr
At least five homes were destroyed by a wildfire in Virginia’s Shenandoah County, officials said, as several “serious” fires burned in the area. https://t.co/9UDrPlWLDo
UPDATE: Five homes are destroyed, and 450 acres of timber have burned due to a wildfire in Shenandoah County. https://t.co/v1s692om7R