The Kessel Fire burning on the mountain above Cacapon Resort State Park in Morgan County is bigger than first thought, but crews have also notched a win on one side of it.
According to an update from Morgan County 911 citing the West Virginia Division of Forestry, thermal estimates as of mid-morning Wednesday put the fire at roughly 160 to 170 acres, with about 30% containment. Earlier figures had the fire at more than 70 acres.
Backburn Holds the Northwest Side
Forestry crews used a controlled backburn along the northwest side of the fire, and officials say it worked, containing that section. A backburn intentionally burns the fuel between a fire line and the oncoming wildfire, leaving a buffer the fire can't easily cross. Crews are planning a second backburn on the northeast side, but that one depends on the weather.
Local fire departments have also been brought in along Kessel Road to protect homes and other structures in the area.
Ten Agencies on the Mountain
Ten agencies are assigned to the fire, including the Division of Forestry, West Virginia National Guard Aviation and fire departments from Berkeley Springs, Great Cacapon, South Morgan, Paw Paw, Oldtown, Hancock, Flintstone and Reynolds Store Fire & Rescue. Forestry crews from Pennsylvania are helping too, and a Guard helicopter based in Wheeling has been dipping water from the park's lake to drop on the flames.
The fire has been burning since Monday. Crews thought they had it under control at one point, but strong winds carried embers across the fire lines and rekindled it.
A Tough Fight
Officials say the job is being made harder by the large number of standing dead trees, many of them ash trees killed by the emerald ash borer years ago. Those trees, along with fallen timber and dead leaves on the forest floor, are feeding the fire, and burned trees can come down without warning. That means a lot of careful chainsaw work before crews can safely build lines. Low humidity, dry weather and wind haven't helped, and officials are hoping for some rain.
What You Should Know
Morgan County 911 is asking everyone to stay away from the fire area, keep off restricted areas and roads crews are using, follow directions from emergency personnel and stay alert to changing conditions if you live nearby. Smoke may stay visible for a while. At the park, the Overlook Trail north of the Batt Picnic Shelter and the Upper Lake have been closed to public traffic.
Please keep the crews working that mountain in your thoughts tonight. We'll pass along more as officials share it.