FRPD & WCFMO seek arsonists

The Front Royal Police Department (FRPD) and Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office (WCFMO) are asking for the public’s help investigating a vehicle fire.

The fire was reported Tuesday around 4:50 pm, in an alley next to the BlueRidge Opportunities Center on South Commerce Avenue.

Authorities say a black, four-door, 2017 Cadillac X-T-S was found on fire.

Two men were seen walking away from the vehicle shortly after the fire was discovered.

One of the men is a white male of average height, with short brown hair and a short brown beard.

He was wearing a white tank top and dark-colored shorts and was carrying a blue tote or laundry basket.

This man was last seen walking toward South Commerce Avenue.

Investigators said the Cadillac was seen traveling westbound on John Marshall Highway from Interstate 66 around 4:20 Tuesday afternoon.

Police and fire officials are asking residents and businesses to review security and doorbell camera footage from roughly 4:20 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, particularly around South Commerce Avenue, South Street, Front Street, Ritenour Street, Short Street, and nearby alleys.

Anyone with information or potentially relevant video is asked to contact Front Royal Police Detective J. Miller or Warren County Fire Marshal’s Captain A. Cucciardo.

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Fire destroys building at Luray campground

Luray Fire

An early Friday morning fire destroyed the arcade and snack shop building at the Yogi Bear Campground in Luray.

The Luray Fire Department says crews were dispatched around 2:45 a.m. and arrived to find the structure fully engulfed in flames.

Firefighters from Stanley and Shenandoah, along with Page County EMS, assisted at the scene.

The building has been declared a total loss.

Firefighters remained on scene late into the morning conducting overhaul operations.

No injuries were reported, traffic was not affected, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Dry fire hydrants save the day in Woodstock

Last Sunday, a structure fire in Woodstock highlighted the importance of dry fire hydrants.

The Woodstock Fire Department (WFD) says it was able to put out a fire in a rural area with the help of a dry fire hydrant, a pre-positioned access point that allows fire departments to quickly access water from static sources such as ponds and lakes.

The WFD says they can be essential tools in saving lives and property.

The WFD encourages residents interested in a dry fire hydrant and who have an accessible water source on their property to email them. 

They note that funding for these dry fire hydrants comes from a Virginia Department of Forestry grant currently open to new applications.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

JMU student dies in accidental fire

JMU James Madison University

A James Madison University senior has died following an accidental kitchen fire late Thursday night, February 26th.

Twenty-eight-year-old Lorenzo Isaiah Gibbs suffered cardiac arrest after the fire at his Squire Hill apartment on Devon Lane around midnight.

Gibbs was an Integrated Science and Technology major.

The university announced his death in a campus-wide email Friday morning.

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Elevated fire conditions

Warren County Fire and Rescue are warning of elevated fire conditions Saturday afternoon, March 1st.

Low humidity and gusty northwest winds will bring a greater risk of adverse fire behavior and rapid fire spread from midday Saturday until early Saturday evening.

Relative humidity values will drop 20 to 30 percent, with west to northwest winds of 15 to 20 mph, gusting to 35 to 40 mph.

The 4pm burn ban remains in effect. If you do burn after 4pm, use extreme caution since fires can increasingly escalate under these conditions.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

WCFR respond to house fire in Linden

Warren County Fire and Rescue were dispatched to the 1300 block of King David Drive in the Apple Mountain Subdivision for reports of a dwelling fire.

Neighbors at a nearby residence reported smoke and flames from the home which was confirmed by responding units from John Marshall Highway.

WCFR’s Engine 4 arrived in under 10 minutes and found significant fire conditions throughout the home.

Prior to the crews arrival, the sole occupant and two dogs safely escaped the blaze.

After an hour and a half of fire suppression efforts, the fire was deemed under control.

Personnel remained on the scene for three hours and while no injuries were reported, the occupant received assistance from the American Red Cross.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Open air burning prohibited throughout the Shenandoah Valley

News to know valley graphic created by Royal Broadcasting employee Brooke Greene used by permission

Effective Friday, November 1, 2024, all open-air burning is prohibited in Front Royal and Warren County and much of the Shenandoah Valley.

This order, issued by the Fire Marshal, is in response to severe drought conditions
affecting the area.

Under this ban, no one may kindle, maintain, or authorize any open burning, including bonfires, ceremonial fires, and camping fires.

However, barbecue grills, smokers, and devices that emit smoke through a chimney or stack are exempt from this regulation.

This measure will remain in effect until further notice.

Residents are urged to comply with this important safety directive.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Two Major Fires Hit Warren County Over The Weekend

Warren County Fire and Rescue (WCFR) report two major fires hit Warren County July 6.

On Saturday night, the Warren County Fire & Rescue (WCFR) was dispatched to Shenandoah Farms for a large outdoor building fire that ended up engulfing multiple smaller buildings, passenger vehicles, and a recreational vehicle.

Personal took three hours to extinguish the fire, and no injuries were reported.

Again on the same night, a dwelling fire was reported in the 10th block of West 17th Street involving four passenger vehicles in Front Royal. Due to most stations working on the Shenandoah Farms fire, additional aid was called to help stop the flames.

Two residents were treated and released on scene, with no other injuries reported.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Triad hosts Spring conference

marketing leverage program grant

Triad is hosting it’s Spring Conference on Tuesday, May 7th.

Triad is a joint effort between the Page County law enforcement community (fire/police/sheriff) to aid senior citizens and their
organizations in reducing crimes against them.

This conference is a time for seniors to share their concerns and questions.

The First Responders will have presentations and publications.

The conference will be held at Rileyville Baptist Church on US 340 from 9 am to 1:30 pm.

or more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

 

Department of Forestry: No uncontrolled fires

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

Firefighters are mopping up hotspots in Page and Rockingham counties this weekend, but the Virginia Department of Forestry reports that there are no uncontained fires in the area.

The department said it suppressed three new fires covering 14 acres on Wednesday. All three fires were in Dickenson County, the largest of which was 10 acres.

Officials remind the public that dry, windy conditions are returning this weekend. They present an increased fire hazard and burning should be avoided in such conditions.

The statewide burning law is in effect from through April 30. The law prohibits outdoor burning before 4 p.m. when the fire is within 300 feet of the woods or dry grass.

The department adds that smoke may still be visible in some areas. Air quality information is available at www.airnow.gov.

To report a fire, call 911.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.