Tractor-Trailer driver airlifted after rollover

A tractor-trailer driver was flown to a trauma center after a rollover crash on I-66 in Warren County Friday morning.

Warren County Fire and Rescue says crews responded just after 4 a.m. to the eastbound lanes near the 10.4-mile marker in Linden.

They found the tractor-trailer overturned on its roof in the median with the driver trapped inside the cab.

Firefighters spent about 15 minutes freeing the driver before EMS crews began treatment.

The driver, who was the only person in the truck, was then airlifted to a nearby hospital.

No information on the driver’s condition has been released.

Officials say several other vehicles reported at the scene were not involved in the initial crash but became disabled after hitting debris scattered across the interstate.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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

Local agencies issue firework safety reminder

The Virginia Department of Forestry and Warren County Fire and Rescue are reminding residents to leave the fireworks to the professionals and celebrate safely this holiday weekend.

Firework misuse caused more than 13,000 injuries and 15 civilian deaths nationwide in 2025, with ages 15 to 24 accounting for the largest share of injuries and fatalities.

Virginia law permits the sale and use of fireworks approved by the State Fire Marshall’s office and only allows fireworks that stay low to the ground like sparklers, fountains, and other novelties.

Authorities can prosecute the sale, possession, or use of illegal fireworks as a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and up to one year in jail.

If you choose to use permissible fireworks, the Virginia Department of Forestry reminds residents to:

  • never allow children or those under the influence of alcohol or drugs to handle fireworks
  • ensure the area is clear of combustible materials
  • have a water source ready nearby

Warren County Fire and Rescue also urges residents to consider neighbors with pets and veterans who may be adversely affected by excessive fireworks.

For a guide to fireworks from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, click here.

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

Dueling Disco prepares cars for families and for an impactful night

The Dueling Disco supporting the Hike Kidz Foundation and Cars Changing Lives is coming up this Saturday.

Earlier this week, Sports Director Ryan Rutherford joined members of both organizations and some of the competing dancers to unveil the two cars that will be donated to families in need.

The first car was donated by a local family and the second car was donated when Ryan reached his goal of $4,000.

The cars were prepared by the Auto Care Clinic to be presented to the families in need by the winning dancer and Ryan on Sunday.

These vehicles represent #86 and #87 of Cars Changing Lives’ goal of 100 total cars given away this year.

Before the cars are presented, the Dueling Disco will take place Saturday from 6-10 pm with food, fun, a DJ,  costume contest, silent auction and the Dance-off at the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club.

During the Dance-Off, I will compete against other community leaders like Cory McCauley of Warren County Fire and Rescue, Bret Bement of Play Favorites, and Dr. Wright, Superintendent of Warren County Public Schools.

Limited tickets are still available or you can make a donation to Team Ryan HERE.

The fundraising total online currently shows over $50,000 raised with the goal of $80,000 closing in.

Funds will be used by Cars Changing Lives and the Hike Kidz Foundation’s programs including Clothe the Kidz, Hold my Heart, and Boxes of Basics which all strive to help children in Front Royal and Warren County.

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

WCFR ask that you reconsider burning outdoors after a camper near woods fire

Just days after a burn ban was lifted Warren County Fire and Rescue (WCFR) reports the response to a camper fire near woods.

When firefighters arrived in the 300 block of West Duck Street, they found smoke emanating from a camper next to an outdoor debris fire.

Residents in the area were able to contain the brush fire with a garden hose before it reached a shed and woodline.

Firefighters were able to determine that ash from the burn pile blew onto the roof of the camper igniting dry pine needles laying there.

The burning pine needles caused the plastic roof covering to melt which allowed fire to fall into the camper and burn the interior.

Crews worked both the fire inside the camper as well as the burn pile.

Residents are strongly encouraged to use caution and even reconsider any kind of outdoor burning.

Fires can expand rapidly in even the mildest wind and these dry conditions.

Firefighters encourage residents to always check weather conditions before burning to avoid windy dry days.

Safe zones need to be established before burning, it is recommended at least 25 feet from any debris or vegetation.

Of course, never leave a fire unattended even for a minute and always have a charged source of water nearby.

When in doubt don’t burn and instead use an alternative like composting or local brush collection services.

Frederick County remains under a burn ban and will be until conditions improve enough to resend it.

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

WCFR answers the call on National First Responders Day

On National First Responders Day Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue (WCFR) reports answering the call.

Crews responded to a residence in the 100 block of 15th Street at approximately 1 p.m.

On arrival, less than 5 minutes after the call, firefighters found the home showing significant fire from the front of the house.

Three occupants had already escaped the residence and were evaluated but refused transport to the hospital.

Firefighters initiated an interior attack on the fire but due to the intensity had to back out due to safety concerns.

The exterior battle continued, and the fire was declared under control approximately 20 minutes after arrival.

Firefighters remained on the scene for approximately 3 hours for overhaul and ensured the fire was completely extinguished.

The Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office determined that combustible materials placed too close to a heating appliance was likely the cause.

Fire officials remind residents that any kind of flammable materials should be no less than 3 feet away from any type of heating equipment.

Always plug a space heater directly into a wall socket, never use an extension cord to prevent fraying of wires.

Place a space heater on a flat stable surface and use a heater with an automatic shut off.

The three displaced occupants in this case are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

Units from Front Royal, North Warren, Shenandoah Shores, Rivermont, and Linden assisted Warren County in the fire fight.

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

WCFR transport 4 after a crash on Skyline Drive

Warren County Fire and Rescue (WCFR) reports the transportation of 4 to the hospital after a crash on Skyline Drive.

Just before 8 a.m. October 20 crews arrived at mile post 8 to find a four-door sedan off the road with significant damage and two people inside.

Two other people were already out of the vehicle with one still confined in the backseat area and the driver trapped under the dash.

Emergency personnel treated the two outside of the vehicle with additional personnel entering the vehicle to treat the additional patients.

It took crews approximately 20 minutes to get the two inside the vehicle out.

The backseat patient and two other victims were transported by ambulance to the hospital.

Due to the driver’s sever injuries air care 4 was called in for flight to INOVA Fairfax hospital.

A safe landing zone was created by temporarily shutting down the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center.

One of the injured was transported to Warren Memorial Hospital and two others were taken to Winchester Medical Center.

Due to the multiple calls being worked at the time WCFR was temporarily placed on No or Limited units’ available status.

All available volunteers were called in to be ready until approximately 9:30 a.m. when the situation returned to normal.

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

WCFR reports that CPR training was critical in saving injured man

Warren County Fire and Rescue (WCFR) reports that CPR training was critical in saving the life of an injured man.

On July 17, WCFR crews responded to an electrocution victim in the Windy Hill Road area of Shenandoah Farms.

The victim fell approximately 25 feet from his ladder after being shocked.

Coworkers were able to recognize that the victim was in cardiac arrest and along with bystanders began immediate Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

The resuscitation effort was in progress and the victim’s heart restarted when Emergency Medical Personnel arrived.

Medical Personnel recognized that advanced life support treatment and specialized care was needed due to the severity of the injuries.

AirCare 4 out of Front Royal was required and the patient was flown to MedStar Washington Hospital.

It was surmised that while conducting cable maintenance high humidity in the air allowed the electricity to arc from the powerline to the victim striking him.

If not for the quick actions of the coworkers, the outcome could have been very different for the victim according to fire officials.

When seconds count proper CPR certification means the difference between life and death.

Fire and Rescue Departments regularly provide CPR training along with the American Red Cross.

Warren County Fire and Rescue offers monthly certification courses with signup available here.

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

WCFR to host town hall meeting for constituents

The Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services invites the public to a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, June 11, at 6:00 PM.

The meeting will be held in the Community Meeting Room at the Warren County Public Safety Building located at 200 Skyline Vista Drive, Front Royal.

This meeting is a vital component of the ongoing 2025 Fire and Rescue Study of the Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

This study seeks to evaluate the current services provided by the Department of Fire and Rescue Services and identify opportunities for improvement to better serve the residents of Warren County and the Town of Front Royal.

The event will provide an overview of the department’s response capabilities compared to national response standards and operational practices.

Representatives from Matrix Consulting Group, the firm conducting the study, will present its findings as it relates to the current state assessment of the department and gather input directly from the community as part of their evaluation process.

This meeting also serves as a valuable platform for attendees to share their feedback, ideas, and concerns regarding emergency response, safety initiatives, and potential improvements for fire protection and emergency medical services throughout the community.

All residents, business owners, and local stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

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

WCFR review all the rescue efforts preformed over the Easter weekend

Warren County Fire and Rescue (WCFR) review all the activities they were involved in during a very busy Easter weekend.

First on April 19 at approximately 4:30 p.m. crews responded to an injured hiker in the Veach Gap Trail area of Fort Valley.

Crews were finally able to reach the patient and make voice contact after an approximate 3 hours into very hard to reach terrain.

First Responders requested assistance from Virginia Emergency Operations to extract the patient safely.

The patient was successfully taken to a waiting ambulance just before 5 a.m. April 20.

At approximately 10:50 a.m. April 20 WCFR personnel and Shenandoah County units were called to the Buzzard’s Rock area for a fallen hiker.

The male patient was free climbing and fell approximately 60 feet causing damage to his leg.

Crews hiked the 2 miles to reach the victim and render aid.

Due to the  terrain Maryland State Police Aviation Command airlifted the patient out and to Winchester Medical Center for treatment.

That operation took approximately 4 hours to complete on Easter Sunday.

It was at approximately 12:30 p.m. Easter Sunday when Warren County Emergency Communications took the call of a woman having fallen from her water vessel.

That incident occurred near the Karo Boat Landing in the Limeton area.

Bystanders reported seeing a woman having been thrown from what appeared to be a kayak but not resurface.

Some bystanders were able to locate the victim underwater but were kept at bay due to the strong current.

Warren County Sheriff’s deputies managed to reach the victim who they found was trapped by rocks under the water.

Swift water rescue crews worked to recover the victim who was declared deceased.

Emergency personnel and first responders employer outdoor enthusiasts to always wear proper gear.

Two of April 20’s incidents resulted in the Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue services to be placed on a no or limited units available status.

That status prompted an notification for all available volunteers to man their stations due to the lack of resources.

The situation returned to normal by approximately 3 when units cleared their respective incidents.

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

News Makers Lieutenants Wilbanks and Miller on WCFR 10 a day challenge

Warren County Fire and Rescue (WCFR) begins their annual 10 a day challenge to protect your family on April 13.

We spoke to Lieutenants Wilbanks and Miller about what that means in our latest news maker.

News makers are sponsored by Warren County.

Experience Warren County Where History, Nature, and Family Come Together.

Lisa Wilbanks explains the upcoming May 1st Firewise Seminar that you need to register for.

She goes on to tell us about the 10 a day challenge and how it is providing free smoke detects in homes across the county.

Lieutenant Aaron Miller tells us about the tough man competition that Warren County Firefighters are involved in.

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