Shenandoah National Park

Fire Images of Rocky Mountain Fire

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

Fire Photography has been around forever, or at least as it seems.  We will note that all of the Fire Images shown in our posts are given the most accurate Photo Credits / Courtesy as possible.  We do not lie any claims to those photos as they are the sole property of the photographers listed.

Fire Stats

  • Started – 4/16/2016 – 1315 Hours
  • Location – South Zone of Shenandoah National Park, NE of Grottoes, Rockingham County, in Luray, Virginia.
  • Cause – Unknown, under investigation
  • Containment – 90% as of 4/28/2016
  • Acres:  10,326
  • Fire Fuels:  Timber (litter/understory), brush and grass
  • Fire Behavior:  Minimal, smolder

PHOTO CREDIT – A. WILLIAMS, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Evening Rocky Mtn Fire

Rocky Mtn Fire NPS Photo A.Williams

Rocky Mtn Fire.

PHOTO CREDIT – VIRGINIA DEPT OF FORESTRY

PHOTO CREDIT – JENNIFER RABUCK, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Smoke rises across a ridge in the background

PHOTO CREDIT – RITA BAYSINGER, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Type 1 (hotshot) firefighters get their gear together before heading out for the day.

Photogrpher in foreground and a pilot in a helmet, sitting in the cockpit of his Type 2 helicopter is his subject.

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe in a blue and gray jacket speaks in front of a large map of the Rocky Mtn Fire 2016.

Smoke billows up from mountain side after aerial ignition

PHOTO COURTESY – INCIWEB

View of Rocky Mtn Fire from Skyline Drive

Skyline Drive

Smoke visible from Rocky Mtn Fire

Firefighters

Helicopter

Superintendent Northup addresses firefighters at morning briefing

Media Tour on the Rocky Mtn Fire April 24, 2016

front of a helicopter says N.P Police

Map of the Appalachian Trail in eastern US

PHOTO CREDIT – SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

PHOTO COURTESY – NASA

picture of the burn scar and active fire area at the edges from space

photo from space showing a close view of the burned area and active fire edges with labels

We’d like to Thank the men and women behind the fire images knowing how much time and effort to put these great fire images out to all of us. Thank you for sharing your many talents and bringing to life what it is really looks like on the fire ground. – Ed.

 

Sources:  Inciweb, Shenandoah NPS, NASA, VA Department of Forestry

 

Virginia’s Rocky Mountain Wildfire Increases In Acreage | Update 6

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

INCIDENT SUMMARY

The Rocky Mountain Wildfire started as one fire on April 16, around 1300 hours.  A small fire the size of 200 acres began to head towards a second fire 25+ acres in size, eventually merging into one large fire.  By nightfall, the fire had grown into a 500 acre fire – and, the rest is history.

It is located within the Shenandoah National Park and in Luray, Virginia.

photo from space showing a close view of the burned area and active fire edges with labels

Photo Credit: NASA

Several days ago, it had reached 2094 .  By April 21st, the fire exploded  four times that into 8,952 consumed acres.  Today, Sunday, April 24, 2016, the fire is currently holding at the same acreage but now has a 43% containment status.

Fire fuels consist of mountain laurel, pine and oak forests with heavier than normal leaf litter and duff.

Firefighters

Fire Photo. Photo Credit: A. Williams, NPS

FIRE STATUS:

An overnight flight by helicopter by National Park Police using an infrared fire mapping system found a 200 acre location along the fire perimeter containing a section where it’s currently holding residual embers.

Smoke rises across a ridge in the background

Photo Credit: Jennifer Rabuck/NPS

In the location 3 miles of Madison Run Road, the upper half of the fire, crews were able to prepare the area for a possible contingency fire line if needed due to increased humidity, rainfall of .014″ and lower temps.

Rocky Mtn Fire.

Photo Credit: A. Williams, NPS

Overall, fire crews have been able to now go into mop-up operations along with extending the fire line.

In the upper section of the area, crews were able to prepare for a future contingency fire line if needed.

The lower half of the area crews completed and/or prepared lines for possible burnout operations.

Photo Credit: NASA

Photo Credit: NASA

Fire remains active and backing in the interior and on the Southern portion.  Crews have successfully gained a 43% containment status.  There is no exact estimated date at the moment on when it will reach a 100% containment status but firefighters are working tirelessly to gain full control of the fire.

Virginia State Gov. Terry McAuliffe thanks all fire personnel. Photo Credit: Rita Baysinger/NPS

Virginia State Gov. Terry McAuliffe thanks all fire personnel. Photo Credit: Rita Baysinger/NPS

PERSONNEL

Previously there were over 100 firefighters but as the fire rages on, personnel has increased to 342 attached to this fire incident.  As of today, the numbers have reached 347 personnel with a noteworthy mention that these fire crews represent 33 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

 

Helicopter

Photo Credit: L. Wilkolak/NPS

RESOURCES

Resources on the fire ground are:  (2) medium helicopters, (2) light helicopters, (2) fixed wing SEATs, (11) engines, (1) dozer, and (2) Air Attack / Lead Planes.

Incident Cooperators are from the National Park Service, Virginia Department of Forestry, Rockingham County Department of Fire & Rescue, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and Grottoes Volunteer Fire Department.

 

New Fire Map. Photo Courtesy: Inciweb

New Fire Map. Photo Courtesy: Inciweb

NO DRONES IN FIRE ZONES

Fire suppression aircraft has had to be grounded as drones have been present during this incident.  Fire Managers would like to remind those with drones that if you fly, they cannot putting lives and property in jeopardy.

Because of this large of a fire, a TFR [Temporary Flight Restriction] has been placed over this fire until further notice.  Please do not heed Firefighting air resources by breaking the TFR and putting the pilots lives in danger.

CLOSURES

The following trails and roads have been closed due to this fire incident:

  • Appalacian Trail
  • Skyline Drive
  • Rockytop Trail
  • Brown Gap Fire Rd
  • Madison Run Fire Rd
  • Rocky Mount Trail
  • Big Run Trail
  • Austin Mountain Trail
  • Onemile Run Trail
  • Lewis Peak Trail
  • Brown Mountain Trail
  • Patterson Ridge Trail
  • Madison Run Spur
  • Doyles River Cabin
  • Furnance Mountain Trail
  • Troyfoot Mountain Trail
  • Blackrock Trail
  • Doyles River Trail
  • Jones River Trail
  • Rocky Mountain Run Trail

IMPORTANT FIRE INFO

If you have concerns or questions regarding the fire, please call the fire information office. 540-999-2152.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Hashtags being used for this fire are:

  • #RockyMountainFire
  • #RockyMountfire
  • #VirginiaFires2016
  • #ShenandoahNF

Our Social Media platforms that you can find us at:

  • Twitter – @nwfireblog
  • Facebook – The NW Fire Blog
  • Flickr

 

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog

 

 

Virginia’s Rocky Mountain Wildfire Increases In Acreage | Update 5

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

INCIDENT SUMMARY

The Rocky Mountain Wildfire started as one fire on April 16, around 1300 hours.  A small fire in size to 200 acres began to head towards another fire in the area, around 25-plus acres.

It is located within the Shenandoah National Park and in Luray, Virginia.

Eventually, the two fires would become one single fire reaching a total of 500 acres by nightfall on the same night the fire ignited growing to 500 acres.

photo from space showing a close view of the burned area and active fire edges with labels

Photo Credit: NASA

Several days ago, it had reached 2094 .  By April 21st, the fire exploded  four times that into 8,952 consumed acres.  The fire is still growing as we speak.

Fire fuels consist of mountain laurel, pine and oak forests with heavier than normal leaf litter and duff.

Firefighters

Fire Photo. Photo Credit: A. Williams, NPS

FIRE STATUS

Firefighters were successful in many areas within the last 24 hours.  Here are some of their accomplishments:

Smoke rises across a ridge in the background

Photo Credit: Jennifer Rabuck/NPS

  • Containment lines were improved by burning off vegetation between containment lines of the main fire yesterday afternoon and evening South Along the Skyline Drive to Mile Marker 80.
  • Fireline improvements along the boundaries along the fire and Skyline Drive across the entire Northern par from Beldor Hollow to the Gap Run area.
  • Contained and extinguished all new spot fires including one that jumped Skyline Drive.

Flames were reported reaching heights of 3-4 feet but have been significantly decreased to 6-12″.  Wind has encouraged the fire behavior to increase at times.

 

Rocky Mtn Fire.

Photo Credit: A. Williams, NPS

 

 

Firefighters have successfully reached a 43% containment status.  There is no estimated timeline when this fire may be fully contained and tapped.

PERSONNEL

Previously there were over 100 firefighters but as the fire rages on, personnel has increased to 342 attached to this fire incident.

RESOURCES

Additional firefighters and equipment did finally arrive.

Currently, there are (2) Type 2 Helicopters, (3) Type 3 Helicopters, (11) Engines, (2) Fixed Wing SEATs (single engine air tankers0) and 2 Air Attack Lead planes.

Helicopter

Photo Credit: L. Wilkolak/NPS

Incident Cooperators are from the National Park Service, Virginia Department of Forestry, Rockingham County Department of Fire & Rescue, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and Grottoes Volunteer Fire Department.

ACTIVE SEARCH & RESCUE OPERATION SUSPENDED

We previously reported along with this fire of a missing Fairfax County Firefighter-Paramedic that had been missing on April 15th, has now been found.  It is with great sadness that we announce she was found deceased from a suicide.

Sympathies to her Police Officer husband, her immediate family, Fire and Law Enforcement families and all those who were touched by her compassion and love.  it was a sad day on Thursday, when the announcement was made by both the National Park Service and the State Police.  It is never a good thing to have occur, when a loved one passes.

  

Photo Courtesy:  Virginia State Police

NO DRONES IN FIRE ZONES

Fire suppression aircraft has had to be grounded as drones have been present during this incident.  Fire Managers would like to remind those with drones that if you fly, they cannot putting lives and property in jeopardy.

Because of this large of a fire, a TFR [Temporary Flight Restriction] has been placed over this fire until further notice.  Please do not heed Firefighting air resources by breaking the TFR and putting the pilots lives in danger.

CLOSURES

The following trails and roads have been closed due to this fire incident:

  • Appalacian Trail
  • Skyline Drive
  • Rockytop Trail
  • Brown Gap Fire Rd
  • Madison Run Fire Rd
  • Rocky Mount Trail
  • Big Run Trail
  • Austin Mountain Trail
  • Onemile Run Trail
  • Lewis Peak Trail
  • Brown Mountain Trail
  • Patterson Ridge Trail
  • Madison Run Spur
  • Doyles River Cabin
  • Furnance Mountain Trail
  • Troyfoot Mountain Trail
  • Blackrock Trail
  • Doyles River Trail
  • Jones River Trail
  • Rocky Mountain Run Trail

IMPORTANT FIRE INFO

If you have concerns or questions regarding the fire, please call the fire information office. 540-999-2152.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Hashtags being used for this fire are:

  • #RockyMountainFire
  • #RockyMountfire
  • #VirginiaFires2016
  • #ShenandoahNF

Our Social Media platforms that you can find us at:

  • Twitter – @nwfireblog
  • Facebook – The NW Fire Blog
  • Flickr

 

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog

 

 

Presumed Suicide Takes Life of One of Virginia’s Heroes In Red

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

Around 1400 hours in Virginia, a SAR team consisting of personnel from the Virginia State Police and the Shenandoah National Park Service suspended all search operations upon discovery of a female body ID’d to that of missing Fairfax County Firefighter-Paramedic NIcole Mittendorf.

Photo Courtesy: Virginia State Police

Over 120 personnel from the Virginia State Patrol, National Park Service, FBI, Virginia Department of Emergency management [VDEM],  including SAR team volunteers had been searching for the missing Firefighter-Paramedic, reported missing over one week ago in the Shenandoah National Park – the same place where the Rocky Mountain fire is burning.

Police stated remains of a female was located within the park’s boundary on Thursday, around 2pm in a remote location.  It was stated to be located more than one mile from the Whiteoak Parking area and about 330 yards down from the trail in treacherous terrain.  Both Agencies, State Patrol and the National Park Service are still working to process the scene.

Her death is not being ruled as being any type of foul play per physical and digital evidence largely played a huge role recovered from the Firefighter’s vehicle.

Editor’s Note:

“We are greatly saddened by the notion of this young lady and one that seemed to have carried way too much on her shoulders to reach out to those that could have helped prevent her suicidal actions.  It breaks our hearts knowing she had been enduring something so difficult to share with others, that she felt suicide was the only way out.

We send our sincere sympathies to her immediate family, her Fire Family, to her husband and his Police Family, her friends, to the Searchers and to the Communities she touched as a person and as a Firefighter-Paramedic.” – Lisa

THERE ARE MANY WHO CARE ABOUT YOU!

Do YOU feel like you have seen way too much on the job or things not going well in your own personal life?  Do  you have  a FRIEND who has found them at the end of their rope and is contemplating to ending it all?

We all know SUICIDE IS NOT THE ANSWER but I can reassure you, sometimes it just feels like the easiest way to handle things or even if the depression is beginning to take the wheel.  DON’T!  

As a journalist here on The NW Fire  Blog, we report way too many deaths and ones that are taken way too soon.  Suicide is not the answer.  There so many people who care for you that you may not even want to admit to or even realize.

Feel ashamed?  Feel like someone may find out?  I can rest reassure you that there are many who have gone through or are going through the same motions.  Reach out to  safe and confidential SAFE CALL NOW – a national, non-profit organization founded by a former Police Officer.  He speaks often about his life spiraling out of control as a person and a Police Officer to someone who is still recovering.  He and others reach out to many in the same situation.

SAFE CALL NOW, is a non-profit organization founded by a Public Safety member for all public safety employees, all emergency services personnel and their family members nationwide. This is a CONFIDENTIAL, comprehensive, 24-hour crisis referral  service for all 1st Responders.

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog

Fire in Virginia’s Wilderness National Park Most Likely Human Caused

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

INCIDENT SUMMARY

A wildfire discovered within the South District Shenandoah National Park’s boundaries in Luray, Virginia yesterday on Saturday, April 16, 2016, has scorched approximately 200 acres.

The fire is burning entirely within the park’s boundaries in designated wilderness areas.  This area is closed to the Public.

National Park Service Fire Managers state the cause is under investigation but most likely is human-caused.

There is a 0% containment status at this time.

Skyline Drive

Photo Credit: Shenandoah National Park Service

RESOURCES

Incident Cooperators for this fire are from the National Park Service and the Virginia Department of Forestry.  Additional fire personnel and equipment are en route and will be soon arriving on-scene.

CLOSURES

The Rocky Mount Trail, Gap Run Trail and Onemile Run Trail are all closed to the public.

Smoke visible from Rocky Mtn Fire

Photo Credit: Shenandoah National Park Service

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

There are no structures being threatened at the time of this post.  No injuries or structure damage have been reported.

WEATHER

As of 1700 Hours EDT [Viriginia time], their current weather is mostly sunny with temps of 75-degrees and 0 chance of precipitation.  Humidity is at 24% with winds at 5 m.p.h.

FIRE TACTICS

Fire Managers will continue to monitor and actively manage operations.

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog