PETERSBURG, W.Va. . — The forest fire burning since early October in Grant County was 90 percent contained as of Friday, according to information from the U.S. Forest Service.
That report prompted the lifting of area and trail closures. Included in the reopenings was North Fork Mountain Trail, though those accessing the trail were still urged to use caution.
“The remoteness and terrain meant we haven’t been able to put a typical line on the fire edge,” said Adam Cook, Incident Commander with the U.S. Forest Service. “But today would be day four without any heat or smoke found on the perimeter we’ve been checking.”
In all, the fire burned through 198 acres of the Monongahela National Forest about 12 miles west of Petersburg.
U.S. Forest Service officials described the land as “treacherous” with “falling trees, snags and loose rocks and steep terrain.”
“It’s very steep and rugged and not a lot of roads to access,” Cook explained. “It’s hard to put fire fighters into that kind of terrain with trees burning out and falling. It’s difficult to get people in there safely.”
The fire was first reported on Oct. 2.
Thus far, no cause has been determined.
Just more than two dozens firefighters remained on scene at the close of the week. At one point, upwards of 80 firefighters were involved in the response.