Weekend fire in national forest seems contained

Recent rain helped with containment of 30-acre blaze

~ PVN staff report

EDINBURG, Nov. 12 — On Tuesday, the U.S. Forest Service issued a statement noting that, “All lines on the Elizabeth Fire continue to hold.” The fire in the northern region of the George Washington National Forest was estimated at 30 acres on Saturday, but it is now expected to be fully contained in the next day or two.

Mop up crews were on site yesterday “to ensure nothing will rekindle if drier conditions return.”

“Traces of smoke may still be visible from interior smoldering; however, crews remain confident the fire is controlled,” Tuesday’s statement from the forest service states.

The rain received over the weekend helped significantly with controlling the fire. However, the following areas still remain closed under a temporary order for the public’s safety:

• Elizabeth Furnace Day Use Area
• Buzzard Rock Trailhead Parking lot
• Picket Springs Parking lot
• Trail No. 404: Buzzard Rock
• Trail No. 406: Shawl Gap
• Trail No. 403: Sherman Gap
• Trail No. 405.1: Tuscarora Veach Gap
• Trail No. 408: Massanutten Mountain (From Elizabeth Furnace to Veach Gap)
• Trail No. 463: Botts Trail
• Trail No. 403: Sherman Gap
• Trail No. 483: Pig Iron
• Trail No. 483A: Charcoal Trail
• Trail No. 484: Veach Gap

“We ask the public to avoid areas with active fire and smoke for your safety, and to give fire personnel room to address the situation,” the forest service statement reads.

For more information, please contact the Lee Ranger District at 540-984-4101.

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