Easter Complex Fire Update, April 13, 2012
Incident: Easter Complex Wildfire
Released: 4/13/2012
Easter Complex Update
Current acreage: 19,144 acres 35% contained
Improvements in local weather conditions will aid suppression and containment efforts for the Easter Complex Fire in Virginia. Persistent high winds throughout the week have fueled these wildfires, making containment efforts difficult; however, wind speeds are expected to be light and variable on Friday, which will allow for an increase in progress.
Resources will continue to construct control lines and to conduct burnout operations if conditions allow. Aerial support will continue with bucket drops and reconnaissance flights. Fire activity will still be visible on all fires; smoke will continue to be present in local areas for the foreseeable future.
Despite many homes in the vicinity of the Easter Complex, no structures have been lost, which is testament to the great work by the Forest Service, Virginia Department of Forestry and the many county and volunteer fire departments and county emergency services.
A forest closure for all forest activities near areas impacted by the Easter Complex is in effect. Maps and locations can be found at the Forest Website.
The following is a summary of all Easter Complex Fires:
· Alleghany Tunnels Fire: 7842 acres, 20% containment.
· Barbours Creek Fire: 3020 acres, 40% containment.
· Rich Hole Fire: 3681 acres, 15% containment.
· Shipwreck Fire: 4000 acres, 80% containment.
· Wolf Gap: 600 acres, 50% containment.
404-354-6005 or 540-525-1539
Assigned to Complex:
29 Engines
8 dozers
5 helicopters
13 Hand Crews
503 personnel
Incident Commander
Blue Team- Mike Wilkins
For additional information on the Easter Complex, visit http://www.inciweb.org/, or call:
(404) 354-6005 or (540) 525-1539.
Cooperators: Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia State Police, various county resources, numerous local and county law enforcement agencies and volunteer fire departments.
Closures: The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests have issued closure orders, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, for areas surrounding the Easter Complex Wildfires. Click here to view maps and closure order documents
