View all posts by Bill Gabbert. Was in the Great Dismal in and last year as a fireline medic. The sprinkler system that was put in to smother the fire was impressive. Lots of great crews on both incidents. We had to get pretty creative with the plumbing and pump show. I was the CRWB for the assignment.
A previous fire in had killed trees and brush, leaving dead fuel in its wake. Grass and brush began to re-grow over the old burn scar, but in , drought dried the plants and soil. And so, when lightning struck on August 4, it ignited the steadily growing Lateral West fire in southern Virginia.
The fire is burning through dry grass and brush, dead vegetation left by the fire, and pine forest, but the worst of the smoke comes from the burning soil.
Extreme heat and unusually dry weather dried the soil, which is made up of partially decomposed plant matter. This peat soil is highly flammable when dry, and it produces thick smoke as it burns.
Fine particles and gases inside smoke pose a risk to human health. Smoke irritates the eyes and the respiratory system. Core employment period is February through May. Fire internships may also offered.
The Virginia Interagency Burn Crew was established in to support prescribed fire operations on all partner lands in the state.
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