CHERRY GROVE, W.Va. — Some moderate rainfall and extensive work from fire crews have helped contain a large forest fire in the Monongahela National Forest.
The fire, which originated in the Cherry Grove community of Pendleton County on Wednesday, now spans 365 acres, but is 60 percent contained. Crews had only contained about 30 percent of the fire into the weekend.
According to a release from the United States Department of Agriculture, crews have been building hand lines and dozer lines along the fire’s perimeter. Firefighters will continue constructing the lines and prepare contingency lines.
The release went on to say that while the fire is decreasing, large standing dead trees continue to burn and are a risk of reigniting nearby fuels. Crews are hard at work removing the trees.
Smoke is still visible in Circleville, Cherry Grove, Big Mountain, Thornwood, and surrounding communities.
Monday’s cold front is expected to bring winds up to 20 miles per hour, but a few inches of snow is expected in the region from Sunday evening until Tuesday morning.