Current:Home > StocksNational Guard helicopters help battle West Virginia wildfires in steep terrain-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
National Guard helicopters help battle West Virginia wildfires in steep terrain
View Date:2024-12-23 19:11:00
CHARLESTON (AP) — The West Virginia National Guard joined in battling wildfires Friday that have scorched more than 4,000 acres (1,619 hectares) in the state and destroyed several homes.
Two Blackhawk helicopters dropped water from buckets on the fires in steep, wooded terrain in Hardy County, the National Guard said on social media. The lightweight, flexible buckets hold up to 630 gallons (2,385 liters) of water.
The fires began earlier this week amid gusty winds and low relative humidity.
In Virginia, more than 100 fires popped up Wednesday, many of them in the central part of the state, forcing the closure of sections of Skyline Drive and the Appalachian Trail. A fire ban was put in place for all of Shenandoah National Park. Fires also were reported this week in neighboring Maryland.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice declared a state of emergency Thursday in the northeastern counties of Grant, Hampshire, Hardy and Pendleton, enabling state resources to be allocated and to expedite emergency response efforts.
“Our crews are some of the best in the nation and we will continue to support efforts to combat these fires until our partners with the Division of Forestry say the danger has passed,” National Guard Lt. Col. Todd Justice said in a statement. “We will do all we can to protect our fellow West Virginians and work to keep local responders safe.”
The statement said more equipment and National Guard personnel may be deployed if needed. Volunteer fire departments from across the state also have helped with the fires.
Hardy County, along the Virginia line less than a two hours’ drive from Washington, D.C., has about 14,000 residents, considerable poultry and other agricultural operations. It also offers tourists an array of river float trips and hiking and cycling trails.
Paul Lewis, Hardy County’s emergency management director, said there were three ongoing fires in the county, including one initially believed to be under control that had worsened near Wardensville. As many as four homes were destroyed in the county, along with an undetermined number of outbuildings, camps and hunting grounds.
“We’re not sure of the total number yet because some of those fires are still active in a couple of those areas,” Lewis said. “Most of these are in the mountains. There’s been a lot of smoke in the area today.”
West Virginia regulators issued an air quality advisory Friday in eight counties. The Division of Air Quality said that some sensitive groups could have breathing difficulties because of the fires, including children, elderly people and others suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases.
“We were hoping with the rain moving in later this evening that that will help us a great deal,” Lewis said.
veryGood! (7491)
Related
- Here's Your First Look at The White Lotus Season 3 With Blackpink’s Lisa and More Stars
- Andy Reid changes the perception of him, one 'nuggies' ad at a time
- WWE star Maryse reveals 'rare pre-cancer' diagnosis, planning hysterectomy
- Hall of Fame receiver says he would be 'a viable option' if he were on an NFL playoff team
- Saving for retirement? How to account for Social Security benefits
- 49ers star Deebo Samuel returns to Super Bowl 58 after hamstring injury
- Score a Look at 49ers Player Kyle Juszczyk and Wife Kristin Juszczyk’s Stylish Romance
- No one hurt when small plane makes crash landing on residential street in suburban Phoenix
- PSA: Coach Outlet Has Stocking Stuffers, Gifts Under $100 & More for the Holidays RN (up to 60% Off)
- Alex Ovechkin tops Wayne Gretzky's record for empty net goals as streak hits four games
Ranking
- Georgia State University is planning a $107M remake of downtown Atlanta
- A 'Super' wedding: Kansas City Chiefs fans get married in Las Vegas ahead of Super Bowl 58
- 2 dead after plane crashes onto highway near Naples, Florida, and bursts into flames
- Breaking down everything we know about Taylor Swift's album 'Tortured Poets Department'
- Democrat Cleo Fields wins re-drawn Louisiana congressional district, flipping red seat blue
- How a Climate Group That Has Made Chaos Its Brand Got the White House’s Ear
- 'Jeopardy!' boss really wants Emma Stone to keep trying to get on the show
- “Diva” film soprano Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez Smith has died at 75
Recommendation
-
Glen Powell Addresses Rumor He’ll Replace Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible Franchise
-
This early Super Bowl commercial from Cetaphil is making everyone, including Swifties, cry
-
Company says it will pay someone to listen to 24 hours of sad songs. How much?
-
Biden’s legal team went to Justice Dept. over what they viewed as unnecessary digs at his memory
-
Man jailed after Tuskegee University shooting says he fired his gun, but denies shooting at anyone
-
'Percy Jackson' producers on Season 2, recasting Lance Reddick: 'We're in denial'
-
It's happening! Taylor Swift arrives at Super Bowl 58 to support boyfriend Travis Kelce
-
Ukraine's Zelenskyy replaces top general in major shake-up at pivotal moment in war with Russia