Incident: Blackhorse Fire
Released: 2/14/2008
Montvale, Va. - Fire crews began demobilizing after weather helped to contain the 1,488 acre Blackhorse Fire in Bedford County.
199 people from multiple federal, state and local agencies battled heavy winds and rough terrain to contain the fire that had caused the evacuation of 25 homes. Glenwood-Pedlar District Ranger Annie Downing praised the work of the firefighters and was grateful to the community for their support and cooperation during the incident.
"This was a very early start to what could be a long spring fire season," Downing said. "All the recent fire activity across the state shows that fires can occur anywhere and that home and property owners should take precautions to prepare for wildfires."
One of the easiest forms of protection is to rake leaves at least 50 feet away from a home. Special attention should be paid to the areas along foundations, near shrubs or other plants and under decks and porches since leaves can pile up providing a ready source of fuel for a fire.
For information about how to protect your home and property against the threat of wildfire go to the Firewise Virginia website hosted by the Virginia Department of Forestry at www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/firewise-index.
