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WHITE ROCK, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – UPDATE 8:25AM 12/10: Rain and lighter winds moderated fire behavior greatly at the Big Levels fire in Augusta County that had grown to 1900 acres by Monday morning. The visible fire behavior was limited to smoldering as fuel was slowly consumed inside the fire footprint from yesterday. This gave crews a valuable time window to improve containment lines established earlier and perform mop-up operations where the fire had reached the Coal Road. Additional manpower in the form of a 20 person initial attack hand crew from Pat Rick Wildland Fire arrived and was immediately deployed to the lines. A fire crew from AmeriCorps has gone into the line today as well as two masticators (heavy equipment).
Despite the rainfall, fuels in the area remain dry and caution with any kind of fire or ignition source is advised.
UPDATE 9:15AM 12/9: The U.S. Forest Service’s intonation that yesterday’s dry, breezy conditions were ripe for spread of the Big Levels fire in Augusta County has come to fruition. A 9:15 Monday morning update had the fire grown to 1900 acres from 600 acres 24 hours before, with 68 personnel working with 10-percent contained. Local storm chaser meteorologist Peter Forister has been on the scene taking photographs where he’s seen intermittent 100-foot-plus flames shoot in the air from the St. Mary’s Wilderness.
Sunday, firefighters from the Forest Service, Virginia Department of Forestry, and the Stuarts Draft Volunteer Fire Company worked to protect private property along the Coal Road and scout control measures, north, south, and east of the fire footprint. A type 1 helicopter dropped 49,900 gallons of water throughout the day.
They’re hoping for some weather help as rain is expected through southern Augusta today through Wednesday with up to 2-inches forecast with the possibility of snow Wednesday. Click here for the full update.
ORIGINAL:
Firefighters are battling what as of Sunday at noon had grown to a 600-acre wildfire in the Big Levels area of southern Augusta County. They’re concentrating Sunday afternoon containing the fire away from privately-owned land as the National Weather Service issued a fire danger alert. Forecasters expect gusty winds along with continued dry conditions and humidity just 25-30%. Active fire behavior is expected all day.
The US Forest Service says some 30 personnel, 2 engines, and a helicopter are assigned to the fire with additional resources arriving throughout Sunday.
Multiple trails are closed and the Forest Service urged everyone to avoid the area. Click here to keep up with the latest conditions.