VDF celebrates a conservation win!

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

The Virginia Department of Forestry is celebrating a major conservation effort near Shenandoah National Park.

Through the Shenandoah Borderlands Project, more than 5,000 acres of forestland in Albemarle and Nelson counties are being permanently protected.

The project is a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the Piedmont Environmental Council, and landowners.

This project is also supported by more than eight million dollars in federal funding through the Forest Legacy Program.

The newly protected land creates a buffer between I-64 and Shenandoah National Park, preserving scenic views, clean water, and critical wildlife habitat.

Officials say the project helps protect the region’s forests for future generations.

Elizabeth Furnace and brush fires keep firefighters busy

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

Firefighters continue to contain the Elizabeth Furnace fire where 109 acres were consumed with many trails and parking lots closed.

The latest report from the U.S. Forest Service confirms that crews are monitoring hot spots and cleaning up.

It was November 11 just before 11 p.m. that Warren County Fire and Rescue reports response to a brush fire in the Cherrywood Lane area of Shenandoah Shores.

On arrival firefighters found homeowners working to protect property, structures, and vehicles with garden hoses.

No injuries occurred or structures were lost in the fire which consumed approximately one full acre.

Firefighters were able to contain and extinguish the fire in relatively short order.

As a reminder an open-air fire ban has been in place in much of the Shenandoah Valley since at least November 1.

The abnormally dry conditions and other weather factors like wind have made it dangerous for any open-air burning activity.

Even with the recent rain conditions remain dry.

The winds have helped to dry things out including the fallen leaves which could fuel a fire.

Those conditions will keep the fire burn ban in effect until further notice.

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

WCFR and U.S. Forest Service report on the Elizabeth Furnace fire

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

Warren County Fire and Rescue (WCFR)  has been in communications with the U.S. Forest Service Wildfire Command team regarding the fire near Elizabeth Furnace.

The latest report has the fire in the George Washington National Forest contained.

The fire was contained with the help of last night and this morning’s 0.2 inches of rain 60 firefighters and a helicopter.

Where the fire did not breach the Warren County geographical boundary smoke from the fire is likely to be seen in the county for several days.

In all the fire consumed approximately 190 acres of forest land.

This is one of several fires that the Virginia Department of Forestry has been working on in the past week.

One of the worst fires was in Buchannan County at Poplar Creek where 1,400 acres burned.

Where we did receive some rain, it was only 0.2 inches, and it will take time to make a difference if it does at all.

Meanwhile the Department of Environmental Quality has extended the drought watch now to include all the Shenandoah Valley and more.

Soil moisture and groundwater levels remain low, and the extended forecast once again shows little to no precipitation expected for at least the next 14 days.

Because of the lack of precipitation outdoor fires are banned in most of Virginia until further notice.

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

Shenandoah National Park updates Miller Head fire

photo credit Scott Bradley Hesson with permission

Firefighters from the National Park Service, Virginia Department of Forestry, US Forest Service, and a Fire Department from Colorado have continued clean up operations from a fire that started on Friday, September 8th.

The two and half acre fire at Miller Head appears to have been naturally started and is fully contained.

Crews will continue to monitor the fire perimeter throughout the weekend.

You can help protect the park by completely distinguishing all fires, never building a fire in back country, and reporting any fires or smoke to park rangers.

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

River Report: 8-15-22

In our latest Shenandoah River Report, Riverkeeper Mark Frondorf previews the upcoming “Riopalooza” event on September 17th. Be a part of this bi-lingual event hosted by Potomac Riverkeeper Network, The US Forest Service, and The Virginia Department Of Wildlife Resources to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. Mark has all the details…brought to you by Front Royal Outdoors. Let Don Roberts and his great staff get you out on the South Fork before Summer slips away. Visit https://frontroyaloutdoors.com