Easter Complex Fire Update, April 14, 2012
Incident: Easter Complex Wildfire
Released: 4/14/2012
Easter Complex Fire Update
Current acreage: 21, 707 acres, 45% contained
Weather conditions today will be a little warmer and windier than yesterday, but minimum relative humidity will remain a little higher than yesterday. Good suppression and containment progress for the Easter Complex Fire in Virginia are expected again today.
Resources will continue to construct control lines, mop up, and conduct burnout operations if conditions allow on Rich Hole and Barbours Creek fires. Aerial support will continue with bucket drops, crew transport, and reconnaissance flights. Fire activity will still be visible on all fires; smoke will continue to be present in local areas for the foreseeable future.
Despite many homes in the vicinity of the Easter Complex, no structures have been lost, which is testament to the great work by the Forest Service, Virginia Department of Forestry and the many county and volunteer fire departments and county emergency services.
A forest closure for all forest activities near areas impacted by the Easter Complex is in effect. Maps and locations can be found at the Forest Website.
The following is a summary of all Easter Complex Fires:
· Alleghany Tunnels Fire: 9,302 acres, 70% containment.
· Barbours Creek Fire: 3047 acres, 20% containment.
· Rich Hole Fire: 5,358 acres, 25% containment.
· Shipwreck Fire: 3,400 acres, 90% containment.
· Wolf Gap: 600 acres, 60% containment.
For additional information on the Easter Complex, visit http://www.inciweb.org/, or call:
(404) 354-6005 or (540) 525-1539.
404-354-6005
Assigned to Complex:
28 Engines
2 Dozers
5 Helicopters
15 Hand Crews
535 Personnel
Incident Commander
Blue Team- Mike Wilkins
Cooperators: Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia State Police, various county resources, numerous local and county law enforcement agencies and volunteer fire departments.
Closures: The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests have issued closure orders, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, for areas surrounding the Easter Complex Wildfires. Click here to view maps and closure order documents.
Homeowners are encouraged to visit http://www.firewise.org/ for information on how to make their homes more defensible from wildfires. In addition, Ready, Set, Go http://www.wildlandfirersg.org/ is another good website for homeowners living in or near the forest.
