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The Big Levels Fire in Saint Mary’s Wilderness Area in southern Augusta County has significantly diminished over the past week, according to the most recent updates from the U.S. Forest Service.
What initially was a large, active blaze visible to some northern Rockbridge County residents has now calmed, with crews continuing to secure containment lines and reopen key trails.
By Saturday, updated ground inspections and infrared drone flights prompted the Forest Service to revise the fire’s acreage downward — from the earlier estimate of nearly 2,000 acres to 1,284 acres. At the same time, containment rose dramatically to 69%. Fire behavior remained low after last week’s rains, with larger fuels smoldering rather than actively burning. Crews continued to patrol the perimeter, addressing any lingering hot spots that could threaten containment lines. Additional fire spread was no longer anticipated.
During this period, firefighters steadily worked south from the Coal Road, mopping up along the fire’s edge. They also continued “brushing out” the Bald Mountain Jeep Trail, both to secure it as a contingency line and ensure it could serve as a robust containment feature for any future incidents.
A Monday update posted to the Washington-Jefferson National Forests’ Facebook page reported minimal active fire behavior, with only a few heavier fuels still smoldering. Crews continued to patrol the perimeter to ensure full security. With containment lines holding steady, St. Mary’s Trail and St. Mary’s Gorge Trail have been reopened to the public.
Travelers on the Coal Road are urged to drive with caution due to ongoing crew presence. Some closures remain in effect for public safety, including the Cold Springs Trail, Cellar Mountain Trail, Bald Mountain Jeep Trail, Bald Mountain Spur Road, and certain national forest lands north of the Cellar Mountain area, bounded by the Bald Mountain Jeep Trail and the Coal Road.
As the incident winds down, the Forest Service expressed appreciation for the public’s patience and cooperation. The focus now is on ensuring that containment is solid, access is safe, and the wilderness landscape can continue to recover from the fire’s effects.
