August is Emergency Management Awareness month

August is National Emergency Management Awareness Month, recognizing the professionals who work behind the scenes to help communities prepare for and respond to emergencies.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management recognizes that firefighters, law enforcement officers and EMS professionals are often the most visible during an emergency.

But did you know that emergency managers play a critical role in coordinating the response?

They connect agencies, bring together resources and build partnerships between government, first responders, nonprofits, businesses and the communities they serve.

Emergency managers help communities prepare for disasters, respond when emergencies happen, recover afterward and become more resilient for the future.

This month, officials are recognizing emergency managers across Virginia for their dedication to keeping communities prepared and strengthening the Commonwealth’s ability to respond when disaster strikes.

For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Emergency Management at vdem.virginia.gov.

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

National Night Out

Used by permission by the Warren County Office employee Sergeant Terry Fritts

Communities across the Shenandoah Valley and around the country are preparing to come together for National Night Out.

This annual event is to strengthen relationships between residents and first responders.

National Night Out events often feature opportunities for families to meet police officers, firefighters, emergency responders in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

The evening to connect with residents outside of emergency situations, answer questions and share information about crime prevention and public safety.

National Night Out is also a chance for children to meet the people who serve their communities and learn more about the work they do.

Events vary by community and may include food, games, music, demonstrations and activities for children.

Organizers say the goal is simple: build stronger connections between neighbors and the public safety professionals who serve them.

National Night Out is held annually on the first Tuesday in August across the nation.

This year the Warren County Sheriff’s Office Foundation will host the celebration from 5 to 8 pm at the Gazebo.

Please more information, please listen to Monday’s Newsmaker with Front Royal Chief Bryan Whited about National Night Out Front Royal.

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

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.

Major House Fire In Warren County

A major house fire with significant fire conditions throughout the structure occurred in the Waterlick area of Warren County at 2:42pm Thursday.

An off-duty battalion chief arrived at the scene within a minute of the report.

All occupants of the home were confirmed to be out while waiting for additional firefighters.

Warren County Fire & Rescue (WCFR) started fire suppression efforts soon after arriving.

The fire was brought under control within an hour, with personnel operating on the scene for four hours.

No injuries were reported after the incident.

The fire was caused by an improperly discarded cigarette.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here

Renewed partnership

Warren County Fire and Rescue and the American Red Cross is holding a 10-Day Challenge, Sound the Alarm and Save a Life.

Firefighters will be visiting homes April 14-April 20th to provide
free smoke alarm inspections and installations as part of their renewed partnership.

If you would like help installing an alarm or have one that needs inspected, please call 540-636-3830.

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

SNP trail closures

photo credit Scott Bradley Hesson with permission

Shenandoah National Park has closed Hull School Trail from Skyline Drive to Thornton River Upper Trail and Thornton River Upper Trail from the intersection of Hull School Trail to Skyline Drive due to the Rocky Branch Wildfire.

Closures still in place include Skyline Drive from Thornton Gap (mile 31.5) to Mathews Arm (mile 22.1), Appalachian Trail from Elkwallow to Beahms Gap, Rocky Branch Trail, Neighbor Mountain Trail, Jeremys Run Trail, and Byrds Nest 4 shelter.

A parkwide fire ban remains in effect.

National Park Service firefighters are working in partnership with Luray Fire Department and Virginia Department of Forestry.

The cause of this fire is unknown.

No structures are immediately threatened by the fire.

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

Wildfires update

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

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) and Virginia firefighters have responded to over 100 wildfires within the last 48 hours.

While several fires in the region, including the Yeawood Fire in Culpeper have been contained.

The Coal Mine Fire in Shenandoah County is approximately 80% contained as of Friday evening.

Thankfully rain has began to fall in the area.

As fires become under control, crews are reallocated to wildfires in Page, Rockingham, and Shenandoah Counties.

Additionally, Federal, State, and local resources are aiding in the efforts to protect lives and property.

In Page County, several fires including the 211 West Fire will be combined into one incident named the “Luray Complex,” under a partnership between the Southern Area Gold Incident Management Team, the USDA Forest Service and DOF.

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

Winchester firefighters: Maintain fire extinguishers

Drew DeHaven

Winchester firefighters remind residents of the importance of maintaining a working fire extinguisher after responding to a kitchen fire this week in which the occupant put out the fire using one.

Firefighters responded to the residence on Tuesday, Winchester Fire and Rescue said Friday. The resident had a fire on top of the stove and used a fire extinguisher to put it out. It was the fourth such incident in six months that city firefighters responded to, the department said.

Officials remind residents to keep well-maintained fire extinguishers, especially in hazardous areas like kitchens, garages and basements. It’s also important to maintain working smoke alarms, they said.

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

Virginia’s fall fire season ends

During this year’s fall fire season, which ran from October 15th to November 30th, the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) responded to 156 wildfires that burned nearly 25,000 acres and damaged 13 structures.

Suppression efforts by DOF and the agency’s firefighting partners are
credited with saving 224 homes and 268 other structures, with an estimated protected value of $46.8 million.

In comparison to the 89 wildfires that burned 2,654 acres in the 2022 fall fire season.

Drought conditions combined with seasonal factors such as low humidity, high winds and dry vegetation, allow wildfires to start easily, spread quickly and be difficult to contain.

Although the fall fire season has ended, the threat of wildfire is always present, as many parts of Virginia are still in a drought conditions.

Residents should: Delay outdoor burning until your area receives heavy precipitation, check for local fire restrictions, call 911 if a fire escapes your control or if you see a wildfire, and remember “Only you can prevent wildfires!

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

Rappahannock Fire and Rescue has a reminder

Rappahannock Fire and Rescue would like to ask, if you had a fire at your house, would a fire truck fit down your driveway?

If firefighters cannot reach your home safely, they will need to find
an alternative way that could take longer.

Remember that every second counts.

To help firefighters find your house quickly, please make sure your house number is visible, make sure your driveway is safe and visible.

Also make sure your driveway is at least 12 feet wide, and make sure there is room for rescue vehicles to turn around.

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