Monday, July 25, 2011
Wildfire burning near Appalachian Trail on Tinker Mountain in Botetourt Co.
One structure is threatened but no evacuations have been ordered. The stretch of the Appalachian Trail through the fire area will be closed until further notice.
A wildfire authorities believe was lightning-caused continues burning in Botetourt County on a Tinker Mountain ridgeline on both sides of the Appalachian Trail.
A total of 36 firefighters from the Virginia Department of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Park Service, Botetourt County and elsewhere are on the scene.
The fire was reported Sunday to the Virginia Department of Forestry.
The burn area is roughly 12 acres but is likely to grow significantly before containment, said Denny McCarthy, an assistant regional forester for VDOF. One structure is threatened but no evacuations have been ordered.
The rocky terrain is steep and challenges containment efforts and conditions are hot and dry, factors that make the fire more difficult to fight and also harder on firefighters, McCarthy said.
The fire is burning on private land and land owned by the National Park Service or Botetourt County.
A helicopter from Summit Helicopters of Cloverdale is dipping water from Carvins Cove to help fight the fire and also providing aerial reconnaissance.
McCarthy said several storms that passed through the region recently might have included the lightning strike that started the fire. Evidence of other such lightning-caused fires is likely to emerge in the days ahead.
A news release from the VDOF quoted Jon Willoughby, an information officer on the fire: "The fire is in a very steep and rocky area and is being fought with hand crews and a few engines."
And the fire is visible to passing motorists on Interstate 81 as well as U.S. 220 and U.S. 11. Officials are asking the public to keep a distance from the fire to allow them room to work and to avoid clogging narrow roads.
The stretch of the Appalachian Trail through the fire area will be closed until further notice, McCarthy said.
A total of 36 firefighters from the Virginia Department of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Park Service, Botetourt County and elsewhere are on the scene.
The fire was reported Sunday to the Virginia Department of Forestry.
The burn area is roughly 12 acres but is likely to grow significantly before containment, said Denny McCarthy, an assistant regional forester for VDOF. One structure is threatened but no evacuations have been ordered.
The rocky terrain is steep and challenges containment efforts and conditions are hot and dry, factors that make the fire more difficult to fight and also harder on firefighters, McCarthy said.
The fire is burning on private land and land owned by the National Park Service or Botetourt County.
A helicopter from Summit Helicopters of Cloverdale is dipping water from Carvins Cove to help fight the fire and also providing aerial reconnaissance.
McCarthy said several storms that passed through the region recently might have included the lightning strike that started the fire. Evidence of other such lightning-caused fires is likely to emerge in the days ahead.
A news release from the VDOF quoted Jon Willoughby, an information officer on the fire: "The fire is in a very steep and rocky area and is being fought with hand crews and a few engines."
And the fire is visible to passing motorists on Interstate 81 as well as U.S. 220 and U.S. 11. Officials are asking the public to keep a distance from the fire to allow them room to work and to avoid clogging narrow roads.
The stretch of the Appalachian Trail through the fire area will be closed until further notice, McCarthy said.
