UPDATE: Grant County Wildfire is 90 Percent Contained

Updated on Monday, October 23 at 3:49 p.m.

The nearly 200-acre wildfire in a remote area of Grant County is now 90 percent contained. As of Friday, no smoke or heat has been visible within the fire area.

The North Fork Mountain Trail has also been reopened, and Area and Trail Closure signs have been removed.

Fire officials are still urging visitors and recreators to use caution, however, when traveling through the area.

Over 80 firefighters worked to contain the North Fire that began on October 2, which is located about 12 miles west of Petersburg in the Monongahela National Forest.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Updated on Thursday, October 19 at 3:37 p.m.

A nearly 200-acre wildfire that began almost 20 days ago in Grant County is now 70 percent contained. Some areas in the Monongahela National Forest are still closed to visitors.

Over 80 firefighters have worked to improve firelines and contain the North Fire that began on October 2 in a remote area of Grant County. The wildfire is located about 12 miles west of Petersburg in the Monongahela National Forest.

The National Forest has closed access to forest lands surrounding the fire. This includes areas south and east of the North Fork South Branch of the Potomac River to Smoke Hole Road, and to the Grant-Pendleton County line.

A large portion of the North Fork Mountain Trail is also closed, as well as the entire Landis Trail and Redman Run Trail.

Fire officials are urging caution to drivers and visitors to this area.

Officials say the next significant chance of rain will be early next week.

Updated on Sunday, October 15 at 4:00 p.m.

Forestry officials say a two-week-old wildfire in a remote area of West Virginia is about 50 percent contained. The U.S. Forest Service issued an incident report Sunday for the 198-acre fire in the Monongahela National Forest.

The report crews are working on improving fire lines and keeping them clear from falling leaves. It says predicted higher winds may cause an increase in fire activity. 

The wildfire began Oct. 2 in Grant County, about 12 miles west of Petersburg. The fire’s cause remains under investigation.

Unlike quick-moving wildfires in the western U.S., fires in the mostly hardwood forests of Appalachia are slow.

Updated on Wednesday, October 11 at 1:56 p.m.

A nearly 200-acre wildfire in Grant County continues to burn, but fire officials say more of the blaze is being contained thanks to rain and quick action by fire crews.

The North Fire in the Monongahela National Forest was 40 percent contained Tuesday, according to a press release from the forest service.

Firefighters built new fireline along the north end of the fire – west toward North Fork, while firelines were reinforced along the east end.

Containment lines have been completed on the southeast side of the fire near Smoke Hole Road. Firefighters removed snags and hazardous trees Tuesday to improve safety along control lines.

Half an inch of rain is expected Wednesday for the affected area, and officials say it will help, but it will also hinder firefighter operations because of slippery terrain.

The Grant County wildfire began Oct. 2, 12 miles west of Petersburg. The cause is still under investigation.

Updated on Tuesday, October 10 at 9:15 a.m.

Forestry officials say a wildfire in West Virginia continues to burn despite recent rainfall.

Updated on Friday, October 6 at 3:56 p.m.

A wildfire that began Monday in Grant County has now grown and continues to spread.

The North Fire in the Monongahela National Forest is now estimated at more than 50 acres. Fire crews first responded to the wildfire Monday afternoon in a remote area of Grant County, just 12 miles west of Petersburg.

As of Thursday, officials have upgraded the fire to a ‘Type 3’ fire because of its extended duration and complexity. 25 firefighters have now been assigned to the scene. On Friday, additional crew members were dispatched. 

The North Fork Mountain Trail has now been closed to all public entry from the Landis Trail to the Redman Run Trail.

District Ranger Troy Waskey said in a news release he and his team are working closely with Grant County 911, Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department, and other local agencies to contain the fire.

The cause is still undetermined.

In September, the USDA reported 2017 is already the most expensive fiscal year on record for combating wildfires, exceeding $2 billion.

President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for 2018 calls for cuts to the U.S. Forest Service’s wildfire fighting initiative by $300 million.

Original Post:

Fire crews responded to a wildfire Monday afternoon in a remote area of Grant County. At this time, no structures are threatened. 

The five-acre North Fire is burning in rugged terrain near North Fork Mountain Trail, approximately 12 miles west of Petersburg on the Monongahela National Forest.

Work continued Tuesday to contain that fire. 15 firefighters are conducting initial fire operations, and visitors are encouraged to avoid Redman Run Trail and portions of the North Fork Mountain Trail.

The ground fire is burning primarily in what’s called the ‘duff layer,’ which is a buildup of years of organic material from leaves, pine needles, and woody debris.

The USDA Forest Service says the cause of the North Fire is still under investigation.

Officials say those recreating in the Monongahela National Forest this fall should use caution. The National Weather Service says much of West Virginia has been abnormally dry.