Madison County wildfire spreads to nearly 2,500 acres, including part of Shenandoah Natl Park

By Sarah Vogelsong
The Virginia Mercury
November 6, 2023
Category: Forest Fires
Region: United States, US East

A Madison County wildfire that broke out near the community of Syria Oct. 24 has now spread to almost 2,500 acres as state and local firefighters work to contain it. While no structures have been damaged by the blaze to date, Madison County officials have issued a voluntary evacuation for residents north of Finks Hollow Lane, which lies near the border of Shenandoah National Park. The Quaker Run Fire, named for another nearby road, has breached two containment lines since it began. Frequently called fire lines or fire breaks, these perimeters of earth are cleared by firefighters to halt a wildfire’s advance by depriving it of fuel. An initial 650-acre containment line was not completed before the fire advanced beyond its limits early last week. While firefighters went on to construct a larger 1,250-acre perimeter, the blaze broke through it Thursday and then on Saturday breached a 1,600-acre line.

Read More