Wildfire update: What a difference a quarter inch of rain makes

Monday, Nov. 13 update: Ahead of tonight’s possible wind event, firefighters will continue breaking apart debris piles and downed trees, according to a Monday update from the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDF).

Firefighters will also be blowing containment lines free of leaves and wetting down the edge of the fire, especially along the northern edge in the area firefighters call the “horseshoe.”

• The Quaker Run Fire is about 41% contained, and air quality is considered “excellent.”

• A potent dry cold front will arrive at the fire around 5 p.m., bringing an abrupt shift in wind direction and increased wind speeds. This will result in critical fire weather conditions through Tuesday afternoon when winds are expected to taper off.

• Overall, the threat of significant fire spread today is low and will be mostly confined to isolated smokes and smoldering. Fire danger increases overnight and could threaten containment lines increase as a strong front with breezy winds and low humidities are expected.

Saturday update: The benefits of yesterday’s rainfall was apparent on today’s fire lines, according to an update Saturday from the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDF). 

The agency reported:

• Friday, about a quarter inch of rain fell on the Quaker Run Fire.

• Firefighters successfully looked for and mopped up hot spots, strengthened containment lines, monitored and patrolled.

• Firefighters briefly ran the sprinklers to check the water pumps around Camp Hoover, also known as the Historic Rapidan Camp.

• Fire behavior was minimal with only a few minor and isolated smokes. No open flame or active fire spread was observed.

• Friday night was the final shift for night operations. An infrared camera was used to detect hotspots within the fire perimeter. Some were found, but nothing is expected to jeopardize containment lines.

• The voluntary evacuation for homes north of 681 Finks Hallow Lane has been lifted; no evacuations are in place.

On Saturday, the agency said firefighters would continue to seek out and mop up hot spots, strengthen and widen containment lines, run sprinklers around Camp Hoover and check and protect homes in and around Syria.

What’s ahead: More active fire weather conditions are expected to move into the area early next week. In the meantime, fire danger and fire potential were very low Saturday.

“Fine fuels are wet and will not support fire spread,” according to VDF. “Fuels may begin to dry somewhat, although cool temperatures will limit any drying. Isolated smoke or smoldering is possible. Open flame or active fire spread is unlikely.”

On the fireline: Earlier this week, Foothills Forum reporter Ireland Hayes was on the scene in Madison County. Here are more of her photos from the Quaker Run blaze: 

Friday evening update: Mother Nature has been kind today. 

“We’ve just received good news from leadership at the Quaker Run Fire: Due to successful burn-out operations last night and a steady wetting rain of more than ¼”, all structures that were once identified as threatened from this wildfire are no longer at risk,” the Virginia Department of Forestry reported Friday evening.

The department say while “this threat is lifted for now,” burn bans remain in place for Shenandoah National Park and Madison County. Rappahannock County also has a ban on outdoor burning.

The situation was more perilous before the soaking rain…

Friday afternoon update: Today’s rain cannot come soon enough for the 9 crews — 164 personnel in all, supported by 4 helicopters and more than a dozen pieces of equipment — who are battling the Quaker Run wildfire.

The blaze had burned 3,700 acres and was 40% contained as of Friday afternoon, according to post from the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDF). 

Thursday evening, Anne Nenninger captured this blend of smoke, sunset and fog in her Huntly backyard:

What can you do to help? The Virginia Department of Forestry suggests directing to donations to Madison County Emergency Medical Services at 1494 N. Main Street, Madison, VA 22727. 

Monday, Nov. 6 update:

By Sarah Vogelsong | Virginia Mercury

A Madison County wildfire that broke out near the community of Syria Oct. 24 has now spread to almost 2,500 acres as state and local firefighters work to contain it. 

While no structures have been damaged by the blaze to date, Madison County officials have issued a voluntary evacuation for residents north of Finks Hollow Lane, which lies near the border of Shenandoah National Park. 

The Quaker Run Fire, named for another nearby road, has breached two containment lines since it began. Frequently called fire lines or fire breaks, these perimeters of earth are cleared by firefighters to halt a wildfire’s advance by depriving it of fuel. 

An initial 650-acre containment line was not completed before the fire advanced beyond its limits early last week. While firefighters went on to construct a larger 1,250-acre perimeter, the blaze broke through it Thursday and then on Saturday breached a 1,600-acre line. 

Greg Bilyeu, a spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Forestry, said Monday that “due to the rocky terrain, it’s often more difficult to find workable areas to create those lines.” 

“Wind is one common factor that can cause wildfires to jump fire lines,” he wrote in an email. “Once this occurs, firefighters have to establish a new fire line, in a new location (hence the growing containment figures.” 

The current containment line encompasses 2,800 acres of both private and public lands. About 670 of those acres are within the boundaries of Shenandoah National Park. 

On Monday, the National Park Service issued a hiking advisory for the Whiteoak Canyon and Old Rag trails, stating that they “are open but at times are impacted by dense smoke which may reach UNHEALTHY to VERY UNHEALTHY levels.” 

Overall, the wildfire has burned roughly 2,800 acres since it began, although firefighters have extinguished some areas. The Virginia Department of Forestry has not yet confirmed the fire’s cause. 

While Virginia wildfires aren’t on the scale of those that have devastated California and Oregon in recent years, state forestry officials estimate there are approximately 700 wildfires in the commonwealth every year that affect just under 9,500 acres on average. 

Virginia’s fall fire season, one of two times during the year when wildfire risk is considered to be hightest, runs from Oct. 15 to Nov. 30. During this period, fallen leaves and dead vegetation provide abundant fuel for flames, and wind and variably warm temperatures encourage the spread of fires that ignite. Drought and near-drought conditions through parts of Virginia this year have also increased risks. 

The Virginia Department of Forestry urges Virginians to be extra careful when lighting fires through the end of November, noting that more than 75% of the state’s wildfires are caused by humans. 

Among the precautions the agency recommends: 

• Avoid burning on dry, windy days 
• Keep your burn pile small 
• Have a rake or shovel and water hose on hand 
• Have a phone ready to call 911 if a fire escapes your control 
• Stay with your fire until it’s completely out (drown, stir, ensure it’s cool) 
• Consider a “green” alternative to burning yard debris: compost your organic yard waste for your garden or yard 

Sunday, Nov. 5 update: The fire that began in Quaker Run in Madison County near Syria almost two weeks ago breached a spot in the containment lines Saturday.

As of Saturday evening, it was slowly expanding into Shenandoah National Park and the Rapidan Tract of the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area. About 1,900 have been burned so far.

“Firefighters are working hard to create new containment lines and stop the spread of the fire,” according to a postal from the Virginia Department of Forestry. “That breach aside, large portions of the fire have been stopped by containment lines. In these areas, crews are monitoring and have begun mop-up operations.”

No structures have been damaged and no evacuation orders have been issued.

Shenandoah National Park has closed Graves Mill Trail and Wilhite Wagon Trail for visitor safety. The Rapidan Tract of the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area is closed for safety reasons.

Friday, Nov. 3 update: The ongoing wildfire in Madison County has now burned about 1,225 acres and is 40% contained, according to the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) fiRESPONSE website.

As of 6:15 p.m., a social media post from DOF said the number of acres burned had increased to about 1,500.

Residents in Rappahannock County reported seeing smokey skies in areas of Sperryville and Flint Hill on Friday, more than a week after the Oct. 24 fire began in Madison County near Syria.

DOF spokesperson Cory Swift-Turner said a shift in the winds on Friday carried the smoke higher into the atmosphere and pushed it southwest toward Rappahannock County. He also said firefighter crews have been lighting controlled fires along the containment line in order to remove those fields before the wildfire can spread. The smoke will continue for the next several days. 

“That just allows us to remove those fuels under close supervision and increase the containment lines where there is less fuel for that fire to burn as it gets closer to areas that we want to protect,” Swift-Turner said.

Quaker Run Road is closed where state maintenance ends for safety reasons, as well as the Rapidan Tract of the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area.

According to a post by Shenandoah National Park this afternoon, it is particularly smokey in the Whiteoak, Old Rag and Big Meadows areas. Those with respiratory concerns should avoid these areas, the park advises.

At Big Meadow, power has been cut, according to the park service. The lodge is closed Friday evening, but dining service is continuing, according to a front desk clerk. The gas station is continuing to operate on generator power.

Wednesday update: For more than a week, the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) has battled a wildfire that began Oct. 24 in Madison County near Syria.

As of Wednesday, firefighters have completed a fireline encircling the entire Quaker Run fire, which has burned 690 acres. “This does not mean the fire is considered 100% contained, as it still has lots of fuel to burn through,” according to the DOF.

No structures have been damaged and no evacuation orders have been issued.

The fire has also entered and burned roughly 30 acres into Shenandoah National Park. Park personnel are supporting containment and will assess for any impacts to recreation. Crews are focusing on strengthening the firelines amid high winds and humidity on Wednesday.

The fire began on private land that was steep and difficult to access, which made containment efforts difficult.

The fire, near Rapidan Wildlife Management Area and the Shenandoah National Park, has been producing smoke visible from Rappahannock and several neighboring counties.

Monday update: The fire has now burned 425 acres and is 35% contained, according to the latest update from the Virginia Department of Forestry. Fire size is expected to grow more while firefighters complete control lines encircling the fire.

No homes or structures have been damaged and firefighters are monitoring potential threats closely. Nearly 90 staff from DOF and our partner departments will continue containment efforts tomorrow.

Quaker Run Road is closed to through traffic until further notice for safety reasons.

Friday update: Fire has now burned 125 acres and is 10% contained. Firefighters continue their work of installing firelines around the fire in an effort to cut off its fuel source. Full containment will likely take several days. No structures have been damaged and no evacuation orders have been issued.

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) continues to respond to a wildfire that began Tuesday in Madison County near Syria. The 125-acre fire is located on private land that is steep and difficult to access, which has made containment efforts difficult. No homes or structures have been damaged by the fire and there are no evacuation orders in place at this time.

DOF remains on scene today working with local fire departments, the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. The fire, near Rapidan Wildlife Management Area and the Shenandoah National Park, is producing smoke visible from several counties.

The fire is approximately 10% contained. DOF will continue to provide regular updates on this dynamic situation. The fiRESPONSE website is also available to track real-time information on the fire: https://virginiapublic.firesponse.com/.

“While we are sure to see larger events this fall fire season, every fire is a priority,” said DOF Chief of Fire and Emergency Response John Miller. “The terrain of this fire is making our response efforts more challenging and its likely containment will take several days.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Additional updates will be posted on DOF’s Facebook and Instagram.