UPPER TRACT, W.Va. — The U.S. Forest Service reported Saturday night the Dry Hollow Fire near Upper Tract in Pendleton County had grown to nearly 1,300 acres.
The fire was spreading along its west flank in the Monongahela National Forest. There were no structures involved.
The wildfire, which began Wednesday and was aided by high winds, was doing some good, according to the Forest Service.
“Today the fire burned with low to moderate intensity, creating conditions that are beneficial to wildlife, oak regeneration, and most significantly, Table Mountain pine, which is a fire-adapted species and needs fire to aid in opening the cones for seed dispersal. The Table Mountain pine is found on rocky ledges and ridgetops,” a statement said.
Sixty firefighters remain part of the response. The Forest Service said those firefighters worked Saturday “to prepare the North Fork Mountain Trail and Pretty Ridge Road (FR 857) to be used as control line. Firelines have been secured on the east side of the fire and will continue to be monitored.”
Part of Smoke Hole Road and Forest Road 2 remain closed.