Near Shipman
Nelson County, VA
Updated Sunday 3.16.14 11AM
Crews have contained the fire that was burning for hours and hours near Shipman on Peavine Mountain in Brownings Cove.
“Approximately 40 fire and rescue personnel from Nelson County made the scene, on Browning Cove Road in Shipman. It was a 40 acre brush fire that had been contained. The Virginia Department of Forestry to reinforced the fire line, fire personnel spread around the perimeter protecting homes. The initial call came in around 4 pm. The cause of the fire was reported as accidental. A power line running from the house to another outbuilding on the properly broke causing sparks that started the fire,”
Don Staver, Safety Officer with the Lovingston Volunteer Fire Department told us via our Facebook wall Saturday night.
Around midnight Saturday Don also told us,
“Virginia Department of Forestry releasing fire personnel from the fire on Browning Cove Road. Special thanks to Faber, Piney River, Gladstone and Lovingston Fire Companies and Roseland Rescue for their hard work. And a thank you to Rockfish Valley Fire for sending an engine to stand by at Lovingston Fire house while we we occupied at the brush fire. And to the Lovingston Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary for providing food and drinks to the fire crews on the scene. The time and effort you put forth was appreciated by all.”
Don went on to say it may be after the snow falls later Sunday before the fire is considered completely out.
Hard to believe with all of the snow we’ve recently had, and the possibility of as much as a foot again Sunday night, that forest fires would be such a problem across the area. It’s been a big problem for firemen over the past 2-3 days. Ultra dry conditions on the surface combined with very high winds have created several fires across the Blue Ridge. The most recent on Brownings Cove in eastern Nelson near Shipman.
“It’s a large fire. There are 4 companies and 2 forestry units with bulldozers and tractors on scene. The fire has taken one out building at this time. No other structures seem to be in danger. The fire is not controlled or contained, but crews working to do that now,”
Nelson Emergency Services Director Jaime Miller tells us around 6PM Saturday evening.
Fire crews are expected to be on the scene for several more hours working to bring the fire under control.
