Persistant Drought Increases Fall Fire Danger In The Allegheny Highlands
Warm Springs, VA – Persistent Drought Increases Fall Fire Potential. This is District Ranger Patrick Sheridan with the monthly report from the James River and Warm Springs Ranger Districts.
Above normal fire potential will develop over the Appalachians from September through November. High humidity will keep fire potential low for much of the Southeast during August. Drier conditions are expected during the fall. The fall fire season in the Southeast is highly dependent on the timing of rain in conjunction with leaf drop.
Periodic rainfall, even if it is below average, will prevent a widespread fall fire season. If rain events are spaced more than 7-10 days apart, fire activity will increase significantly, especially if dry cold fronts occur.
Nationally, the fire season is below normal. Approximately 2 million acres have burned to date, only half of the 10 year average of 4 million. Approximately 38,000 fires have occurred so far compared to the 10 year average of 53,000 for this date.
Campground renovation at Lake Moomaw’s Bolar Mountain recreation area was completed in early July and all of the recreation activities are once again fully available to the public. Campground reconstruction began in the fall of 2009 and resumed in March, 2010 at Lake Moomaw after a long delay due to winter weather. New bath house and shower facilities are in place at the beach, and Campgrounds 1, 2, and 3.
The Morris Hill Campground at Lake Moomaw will close for the season on September 7, 2010, a bit earlier than normal. The Army Corp of Engineers manages the water system at the camp ground and has maintenance and repairs of the system scheduled for this time.