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A forest fire known as the Big Levels Fire has been burning since late last week in Saint Mary’s Wilderness Area in southern Augusta County, visible to some residents in northern Rockbridge County.
As of Tuesday morning, the U.S. Forest Service reported that the fire had grown to approximately 1,965 acres with 84 personnel working on containment, now at about 12%. The fire is primarily located northeast of Vesuvius, according to maps shared on Facebook by the Washington-Jefferson National Forests.
Recent rainfall and lighter winds have helped firefighters gain ground. In an update posted to its Facebook page on Tuesday, the Forest Service noted that visible fire behavior was limited to smoldering, giving crews “a valuable time window” to improve containment lines established along the Coal Road and Bald Mountain Jeep Trail. Additional manpower had arrived, including a 20-person initial attack hand crew from Pat Rick Wildland Fire and a crew from AmeriCorps. Engines will continue patrolling the Coal Road, and if conditions allow, helicopters remain on standby for aerial water drops.
Public information officer Jim Bartlett told The News-Gazette that despite the improved weather, caution remains the priority. “We never count a fire out until we’ve gone in and seen it out,” he said. When asked if the recent precipitation would help, he added, “Rain is always welcome.”
Rain was again in the forecast for Tuesday night and today.
Bartlett also noted that two helicopters had been drawing water from local reservoirs for bucket drops, with a large Type 1 helicopter delivering 49,900 gallons on Sunday. Thanks to the rainfall, aerial drops weren’t needed on Monday. However, the helicopters remain ready to assist if weather conditions and fire behavior call for their support.
