UPPER TRACT, W.Va. — Decreasing winds Friday helped firefighters battling a wildfire in the Monongahela National Forest near Upper Tract in Pendleton County.
A mid-morning update from the U.S. Department of Agriculture said the Dry Hollow Fire, last measured at 530 acres, was still creating hazards for firefighters with rolling debris in the form of downed trees at the fire’s edge.
The fire was burning on both sides of the South Branch of the Potomac River. Fire crews were fighting the fire on the west side Friday by building a fire line to protect structures. Burn out operations may be used on the east side of the fire near the Cave Mountain area.
More than 50 firefighters were on the scene Friday with four engines.
Authorities said 30 additional firefighters will be on scene Friday along with a helicopter.
There’s been no word on what started the blaze but authorities said Wednesday night’s severe winds knocked down trees causing the fire to spread rapidly.
A few roads in the area and a campground are closed.
According to the USDA, “The Forest Service continues to support the Upper Tract Volunteer Fire Department and the West Virginia Division of Forestry as they assess concerns for private property in the area. Firefighters from the states of Kentucky, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin are working on this incident, along with qualified Job Corps students.”