“A former Nelson County Sheriff has entered a plea that prosecutors say will effectively end his law enforcement career.
According to WDBJ, David Brooks entered Alford pleas on Monday to malfeasance and illegally disseminating images of another person.
An Alford plea means Brooks maintains his innocence while admitting there is enough evidence to convict him. In exchange, counts of illegal filming and a felony count of embezzlement were dropped.”
But firefighters have made tremendous progress on the fire, and with approaching rains Tuesday and Wednesday, it should help put the fire out, hopefully for good.
Below the morning update, verbatim, from the US Forest Service:
Don Pyrah, Fire Information Officer Containment: 90%
Cause: Unknown
Location: Mount Pleasant Scenic Area, Thrasher’s Creek Community
Protection: Amherst County
Start Date: Saturday November 19th, 2016 approx. 06:15 PM
Ownership: USDA Forest Service, George Washington & Jefferson National Forests, Glenwood and Pedlar Ranger Districts
Type of Incident: Wildfire
Size: 11,229 Acres
Resources: Engines 22, Hand Crews 2 Type 2, 10 Type 2IA and IA Modules, Bulldozers 1, Helicopters 1, Overhead Personnel 60, Total Personnel 305
REHABILITATION EFFORTS BEGIN
Yesterday, firefighters on all areas of the fire continued efforts to strengthen containment lines. Their efforts included mop-up, structure protection, and patrol. Resources assigned to the fire also began assessing efforts for fire line rehabilitation.
Today fire resources will continue providing structure protection, patrolling containment lines and mop-up.
The weather forecast is for significant rain over the fire area beginning Monday evening and extending through Wednesday.
Road Closures:
· North Fork Road (SR 635) closed at Panther Mountain (FR #1286)
· Thrasher’s Creek Road (SR 617) is closed at Molly’s Mountain due to firefighting activities. Local traffic will be permitted
· The Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area is temporarily closed due to fire activities. All roads and trails within the Scenic Area are temporarily closed including
· Wiggins Spring Road/Hog Camp Gap Road (FR #48) is closed from the junction at State Route 634 (Coffeytown Road) through to Salt Log Gap
· Coon Bridge Road (FR #1167)
· Cow Camp Road (FR #520)
· Fletcher Mountain Road (FR #507)
Trail Closures:
· Appalachian National Scenic Trail (FT #1) from Long Mountain Wayside to Salt Log Gap
· Old Hotel Trail (FT #515)
· Henry Lanum Trail (FT #702)
· Mt. Pleasant Trail (FT #704)
It’s been a long, long time since we’ve seen any appreciable rainfall across the Blue Ridge. That’s all about to change over the next 2-3 days with a couple of different rounds headed our way. The first arrives late Monday night into Tuesday, the second arrives on Wednesday. The more significant rainfall is Wednesday’s.
Photo courtesy of Debbie Wilson – Lukey Photography – Piney River, Virginia : A firefighting helicopter and crew take off after dipping water from Thrashers Lake earlier this week to battle the wildfires in Amherst County, Virginia
Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant Scenic Area / Thrasher’s Creek Community
Amherst County, Virginia
The progress continues against a wildfire in Amherst County that’s been burning for a week now. In all over 11,000 acres has been torched. Some of that purposely set by firefighters to contain the fire and bring it under control.
Below is the verbatim Sunday morning update from the USFS:
Don Pyrah, Fire Information Officer
Containment: 65%
Location: Mount Pleasant Scenic Area, Thrasher’s Creek Community
Start Date: Saturday November 19th, 2016 approx. 06:15 PM
Type of Incident: Wildfire
Size: 11,200 Acres
Cause: Unknown
Protection: Amherst County
Ownership: USDA Forest Service, George Washington & Jefferson National Forests, Glenwood and Pedlar Ranger Districts
Resources: Engines 19, Hand Crews 2 Type 2, 17 Type 2IA and IA Modules, Bulldozers 2, Helicopters 3,Overhead Personnel 60, Total Personnel 273
MOP UP OPERATIONS CONTINUE
Community Meeting is scheduled at the Pedlar Fire Department at 7 pm this evening
Firefighters strengthened and held containment lines during yesterday’s wind event. Resources on the south side of the fire continued providing structure protection in the Thrasher Creek drainage, and continued mop-up operations. Resources on the east side continued to secure control lines towards the Indian Creek drainage while providing structure protection in Scotts Branch drainage and Indian Creek. Resources on the north side continued to strengthen and hold control lines in that area. On the west and southwest sides, resources continued to secure control lines and continue mop-up. Those resources also provided structure protection along State Routes 634 and 635.
Today all fire resources will continue providing structure protection, patrolling containment lines and mop-up. There is an Initial Attack group available for new starts in the George Washington-Jefferson National Forest.
Road Closures:
· North Fork Road (SR 635) closed at Panther Mountain (FR #1286)
· Thrasher’s Creek Road (SR 617) is closed at Molly’s Mountain due to firefighting activities. Local traffic will be permitted
· The Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area is temporarily closed due to fire activities. All roads and trails within the Scenic Area are temporarily closed including
· Wiggins Spring Road/Hog Camp Gap Road (FR #48) is closed from the junction at State Route 634 (Coffeytown Road) through to Salt Log Gap
· Coon Bridge Road (FR #1167)
· Cow Camp Road (FR #520)
· Fletcher Mountain Road (FR #507)
Trail Closures:
· Appalachian National Scenic Trail (FT #1) from Long Mountain Wayside to Salt Log Gap
· Old Hotel Trail (FT #515)
· Henry Lanum Trail (FT #702)
· Mt. Pleasant Trail (FT #704)
Photo : Captain RW Woody : Wintergreen Fire & Rescue : An early Saturday morning fire on Deer Run Drive just north of Nellysford kept firefighters busy as they battled the home blaze and then a brush fire that spread into the nearby forest. November 26, 2016
Deer Run Drive
Near Nellysford
Nelson County, Virginia
Forestry and local fire crews were busy early Saturday morning around daylight when a home in the 800 block of Deer Run Drive just outside of Nellysford caught fire. That fire then quickly spread into the nearby woods causing a brush fire that required the Virginia Department of Forestry to respond with local fire departments to contain the blaze.
Dan Lee, Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Madison Heights thanks firefighters for their work battling wildfires over the past week in Lovingston. Lee, a former police officer, offered words of encouragement as the crews mop up operations in Nelson over the next day or so. The meeting was held Friday night – November 25, 2016 at the Lovingston Volunteer Fire Department.
US Congressman Elect Tom Garrett’s office and Pastor Dan Lee from Grace Baptist Church in Madison Heights were on hand at a meeting Friday night at the LVFD to express their thanks for all of the hard work done to bring the wildfire under control.
Andrew Pullen, an aid from U.S. Congressman Elect Tom Garrett’s (currently VA State Senator) office was on hand expressing thanks for all of the efforts during the last week. Friday – November 25, 2016 – Lovingston, Virginia
Garrett currently serves as a state senator in Virginia, but was elected to the US House and will take office in January.
Firefighters also learned they will be recommended for a Congressional Commendation once the session starts.
Photo courtesy of Debbie Wilson – Lukay Photography – Piney River, VA : Smoke rises in the background as a large forestry helicopter climbs across the area to dump water on the blaze at the Mount Pleasant wildfire in Amherst County, VirginiaMount Pleasant Scenic Area
Thrasher’s Creek Community
Amherst County, Virginia
Late Friday night updates now put the affected area at 11,000 acres. Much of the increase was due to controlled burns performed by the USFS to help manage the fire.
Early AM Friday 11.25.16 Some better news the day after Thanksgiving. Though the wildfires in Amherst County have grown to take in around 7200 acres, the blaze is now 30% contained. Fire crews worked throughout the day and evening on Thanksgiving.
Below, the verbatim Friday morning update from the US Forest Service:
Don Pyrah, Fire Information Officer
Containment: 30%
Cause: Unkown
Location: Mount Pleasant Scenic Area, Thrasher’s Creek Community
Protection: Amherst County
Start Date: Saturday November 19th, 2016 approx. 06:15 PM
Ownership: USDA Forest Service, George Washington & Jefferson National Forests, Glenwood and Pedlar Ranger Districts
Type of Incident: Wildfire
Size: 7200 Acres
Engines: 13
Hand Crews: 2 Type 2, 16 Type 2IA and IA Modules
Bulldozers: 3
Helicopters: 3
Overhead Personnel: 53
Total Personnel: 252
Public Meeting Tonight 11/25/16 – Pedlar Fire Hall 7:00 p.m.
We want to thank the tremendous outpouring of support from the local residents affected by the fire. Their generosity towards our firefighters was nothing less than humbling. Please consider directing future donations to your local food pantry or the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. Our needs have been more than met due to your generosity. We thank you!
Yesterday, resources on the south side continued providing structure protection in the Thrasher Creek drainage, kept fire north of the dozer lines and continued with mop-up operations. Resources on the east side continued to secure control lines towards the Indian Creek drainage, and continued north. Structure protection in Scotts Branch drainage and Indian Creek also continued. Resources on the north side and northwest sides of the fire began constructing control line and looked for opportunities to control the fire off Forest Service Road 520 and County Road 750 from the west to Hog Camp Gap. On the west side of the fire resources began securing control lines from the west toward County Road 635 providing structure protection along that route. Night operations continued with resources assigned to patrolling the fire edge around structures and extinguishing hot spots. There is an Initial Attack group available for new starts in the George Washington, Jefferson National Forest.
Today, resources on the south and east and north sides of the fire will continue to strengthen control lines, mop-up, and patrol. Resources on the north and west sides of the fire will be providing structure protection for homes along State Route 634 (Coffeytown Road) and State Route 635. Resources will be continuing firing operations to secure control lines in those areas. Night operations will continue this evening monitoring existing established control lines.
Firing operations are conducted to remove unburned vegetation within the fires perimeter that could later ignite and spread. Conducting this type of operations when conditions are appropriate and safe lowers the fires potential to burn with great intensity.
Virginia Department of Forestry trucks are lined up at the Command Post on Eades Lane Thanksgiving morning with smoke hanging in the air. The battle against a wildfire that started last weekend continues on Thanksgiving day. November 24, 2016.
Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
Late Thursday evening the wildfire in Lovingston was finally 100% contained. Lovingston VFD & Nelson County Emergency Services posted the following statements on their Facebook pages:
“The fire is about 75% contained and has taken in approximately 1600 acres as of a briefing I had with the Virginia Department of Forestry this morning. More fire lines going in still today. And a priority will be protecting homes and property,”
Nelson County’s Emergency Services Director Jaime Miller tells BRL.
Map via VDOF : A map showing the general area affected by the Eades Hollow fire that began last weekend. The fire has now consumed about 1600 acres just before noon on Thanksgiving Day 2016.
Director Miller also tells us, “People traveling along 29 and those in Lovingston will see smoke and workers along US 29 in area of Country Lane, St Mary’s Catholic Church, Eades Lane, and points north. Volunteers are in standby for home protection if needed, and will be ready to respond. Crews will be working diligently to contain the fire today.”
The battle against a wildfire that’s now consumed over 6400 acres continues on this Thanksgiving Day in Amherst County, Virginia. In their Thursday morning update the USDA Forest Service says 226 personnel are on the scene working the fire.
Thursday, November 24, 2016, 9:30
Don Pyrah, Fire Information Officer
Location: Mount Pleasant Scenic Area, Thrasher’s Creek Community
Start Date: Saturday November 19th, 2016 approx. 06:15 PM
Type of Incident: Wildfire
Size: 6,485 Acres
Containment: 10%
Cause: Unkown
Protection: Amherst County
Ownership: USDA Forest Service, George Washington & Jefferson, National Forests
Glenwood and Pedlar Ranger Districts
Engines: 12
Hand Crews: 2 Type 2, 7 Type 2IA and IA Modules
Bulldozers: 3
Helicopters: 3
Overhead Personnel: 48
Total Personnel: 226
Yesterday firefighters, engines, dozers and aircraft worked to strengthen existing control lines utilizing firing operations in south and east portions of the fire. Firing operations were conducted on the southwest corner of the fire to secure protection of homes along the North Fork Road (SR 635). Firefighters successfully caught slop over on the north side of the fire during the mid-day. An early morning inversion delayed aircraft usage until late morning.
Today resources on the south side of the fire will continue structure protection in the Thrasher Creek drainage, keeping fire north of the dozer lines and continuing mop-up operations. Resources on the east side of the fire will continue to secure control lines towards the Indian Creek drainage. They will also provide structure protection in Scotts Branch drainage and Indian Creek. Resources on the north side and northwest sides of the fire will begin constructing control line and will scout for opportunities to control the fire off Forest Service Road 520 and County Road 750 from the west to Hog Camp Gap. On the west side of the fire resources will secure line from the west toward County Road 635 providing structure protection along that route. Night operations will continue with resources assigned to patrolling the fire edge around structures and extinguishing hot spots. There is an Initial Attack group available for new starts in the George Washington-Jefferson National Forest.
Firing operations are conducted to remove unburned vegetation within the fires perimeter that could later ignite and spread. Conducting this type of operations when conditions are appropriate and safe lowers the fires potential to burn with great intensity. Through the crews hard work the fire moved to 10% containment Tuesday evening.
The fire was first reported Saturday November 19, 2016. Amherst County, Virginia Department of Forestry, and US Forest Service firefighters were the first to respond and did great work while waiting for other resources to arrive. The Department of Natural Resources Conservation County Assist Team, Incident Commander David Hamilton assumed management of the fire Monday evening. The team is working with local, state and federal partners to implement a full suppression strategy to put the fire out as safely and quickly as possible. Firefighter and public safety is the number one priority.
Photo By John Mckeithen : Fire continus burning on Peebles Mountain just behind St Mary’s Catholic Church just north of Lovingston, Virginia Thursday morning November 24, 2016. A fire line previously set at Buzzard’s Rock by forestry crews was jumped overnight.
Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
Not what people living near Lovingston wanted to hear, but Wednesday night a line that had been created to stop the spread of the a fire on the mountainside above town jumped the break.
“The fire has jumped the fire line this evening, news that none of us wanted to hear, but that’s what we are facing this evening and going into tomorrow,”
Jaime Miller, Nelson Emergency Services Coordinator said in a post Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile if you can help these men and women out by dropping off some food. Please do. Make it a great Thanksgiving for them!
Here’s how below.
We will had additional updates throughout this Thanksgiving Day.
