Upper Tract, W.Va., – The Dry Hollow Fire in Pendleton County near Upper Tract received approximately one-quarter inch of rain recently, which has temporarily stalled fire spread. Despite the rain, the fire is still burning and producing smoke.
Firefighters continue to work on preparing the North Fork Mountain Trail as a control line for fire spread to the west. Crews are preparing Pretty Ridge Road and FR 857 as contingency lines, should the fire advance to the south. They are also monitoring control lines that were put in place on the east side of the fire.
Fire officials will be closely monitoring the onset of changing weather conditions and firefighters will remain on scene at least through the next several days.
Monongahela National Forest continues to coordinate with and support the Upper Tract Fire Department and West Virginia Division of Forestry as they monitor the needs of private landowners affected by the fire.
Burned areas on the National Forest are closed to the public, along with Smoke Hole Road and Forest Road 79. Visitors to nearby National Forest lands, especially hunters, should exercise caution while in the area.
InciWeb will continue to be updated at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6663/