Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
As we mentioned earlier in an update on our coverage of the Afton Mountain brushfire here, the Nelson County Board of Supervisors has passed a local declaration of emergency due to drought conditions. A burn ban is also in place that prohibits outdoor burning on both public AND PRIVATE property.
Afton Mountain – I-64
Near the Nelson/Augusta/Albemarle County Line
Virginia
Updated 11.17.23
Though the fire on Afton Mtn is still burning it is completely contained and is under constant monitoring by fire crews. This is normal procedure by forestry teams.
Traffic was back to normal in the area by late Thursday night.
Real live traffic updates here from VA511.
“Description:
On I-64 at mile marker 100 in the County of Albemarle, motorists can expect delays due to a wildfire. The west right shoulder is closed. Traffic backups are approximately 6.0 miles.
Last updated:
Thu 11/16/2023 6:07 PM EST
Description:
On US-250 West in the County of Albemarle, in the vicinity of Critzers Shop Rd; VA-151N/S, motorists can expect delays due to congestion. Traffic backups are approximately 2.0 miles.
Last updated:
Thu 11/16/2023 5:59 PM EST”
Updated 4:30 PM – More video of chopper dumping water on Afton Mtn fire (video immediately below)
Updated 3:55 PM Choppers dump water from air on Afton Mtn Fire (video immediately below)
Updated 3:12 PM – Aerial helicopter water carrier on the way see video below.
Updated 2:53 PM – Aerial fire crews are about to begin attacking the fire from the air.
-Backups of traffic westbound 64 are now reported to be several additional miles
Original post 2:38 PM below
Around 2:15 PM Thursday about 20 acres was on fire at the top of Afton Mountain in the vicinity of miler marker 100.
The fire started after a vehicle pulling a camper fire just before 1PM.
Fire crews from all over the area are being dispatched to help control the fire.
ELEVATED/ENHANCED FIRE DANGER TODAY
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
927 AM EST Wed Nov 15 2023
…ELEVATED FIRE DANGER THROUGH EARLY EVENING FOR NORTHERN AND
CENTRAL VIRGINIA, WESTERN MARYLAND, AND EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA…
Elevated fire weather conditions are expected through early
evening across northern and central Virginia, western Maryland, and
eastern West Virginia. Relative humidity values are expected to
drop back to around 20-35 percent this afternoon (lowest in far
western MD and the WV mountains, highest across the VA Piedmont
and eastern portions of the WV Panhandle). Winds will be out of
the south at around 5-10 mph with gusts to around 15 mph in most
locations, but locally higher along the Allegheny Front (10-15
mph, with gusts to 25 mph at times). 10-hour fuel moisture will be
as low as 10 or 11 percent.
Residents and visitors are urged to exercise caution if handling
open flames or equipment that creates sparks. Also, dispose of
cigarette butts, matches, and other flammable items in
appropriate containers. Keep vehicles off of dry grass and obey
local burn bans. Most dry grasses, dead leaves, and other tree
litter could easily ignite and spread fire quickly.
Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. For more information
about wildfire danger, burn restrictions, and wildfire prevention
and eduction, please visit your state’s forestry or environmental
protection website.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
841 AM EST Wed Nov 15 2023
VAZ007-009>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059-WVZ042>044-507-508-
152300-
Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-
Carroll-Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-
Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania-
Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte-Mercer-Summers-
Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier-
Including the cities of Tazewell, Marion, Bland, Pearisburg,
Wytheville, Radford, Pulaski, Blacksburg, Independence, Whitetop,
Troutdale, Volney, Galax, Floyd, New Castle, Clifton Forge,
Covington, Hot Springs, Roanoke, Salem, Fincastle, Lexington,
Buena Vista, Stuart, Rocky Mount, Bedford, Amherst, Martinsville,
Danville, Lynchburg, Appomattox, South Boston, Keysville,
Bluefield, Flat Top, Hinton, Hix, Union, Lewisburg,
White Sulphur Springs, Alderson, Quinwood, Duo, and Rainelle
841 AM EST Wed Nov 15 2023
…ENHANCED FIRE DANGER TODAY…
Very low humidities this afternoon, along with ongoing drought
conditions will lead to an elevated fire danger risk today.
Humidity values will drop as low as 20 to 25 percent. Winds will
be from the south to southeast at 3 to 9 mph.
Please refer to your local burn permitting authorities on whether
you can burn. If you do burn, use extreme caution since fires can
quickly get out of hand under these conditions.
ELEVATED FIRE DANGER THROUGH EARLY EVENING
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
918 AM EST Tue Nov 14 2023
Augusta-Rockingham-Shenandoah-Frederick VA-Page-Warren-Clarke-
Nelson-Albemarle-Greene-Madison-Rappahannock-Orange-Culpeper-
Stafford-Spotsylvania-King George-Northern Fauquier-
Southern Fauquier-Western Highland-Eastern Highland-
Northern Virginia Blue Ridge-Central Virginia Blue Ridge-
Northwest Prince William-
Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park-
Hampshire-Hardy-Western Grant-Eastern Grant-Western Mineral-
Eastern Mineral-Western Pendleton-Eastern Pendleton-
Including the cities of Staunton, Waynesboro, Stuarts Draft,
Harrisonburg, Strasburg, Woodstock, Mount Jackson, New Market,
Winchester, Luray, Shenandoah, Stanley, Front Royal, Berryville,
Lovingston, Charlottesville, Stanardsville, Madison, Washington,
Orange, Gordonsville, Culpeper, Falmouth, Fredericksburg,
Dahlgren, Warrenton, Turnbull, Hightown, Monterey, Big Meadows,
Wintergreen, Haymarket, Dale City, Manassas, Woodbridge,
Lake Ridge, Montclair, Romney, Moorefield, Bayard, Mount Storm,
Petersburg, Elk Garden, Antioch, Keyser, New Creek, Ridgeville,
Russelldale, Headsville, Fort Ashby, Riverton, Brandywine,
Franklin, Oak Flat, Ruddle, and Sugar Grove
918 AM EST Tue Nov 14 2023
…ELEVATED FIRE DANGER THROUGH EARLY EVENING FOR NORTHERN AND
CENTRAL VIRGINIA, AND EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA…
Elevated fire weather conditions are expected through early
evening across northern and central Virginia, and eastern West
Virginia. Northwest winds later this morning and into the
afternoon will gust 20 to 30 mph, with minimum relative humidity
values between 15 and 30 percent. 10-hour fuel moisture will be
as low as 10 or 11 percent.
Residents and visitors are urged to exercise caution if handling
open flames or equipment that creates sparks. Also, dispose of
cigarette buds, matches, and other flammable items in appropriate
containers. Keep vehicles off of dry grass and obey local burn
bans. Most dry grasses, dead leaves, and other tree litter could
easily ignite and spread fire quickly.
Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. For more information
about wildfire danger, burn restrictions, and wildfire prevention
and eduction, please visit your state`s forestry or environmental
protection website.
Wintergreen
Nelson County, Virginia
From Wintergreen Fire & Rescue :
“As many of you know, Governor Youngkin recently declared a statewide state of emergency due to extreme drought and active forest fires. Specifically, there is a multi-thousand-acre fire to our North in Madison County, as well as a large fire to our South in Patrick County.
Today, Augusta County enacted a burn ban effective at 5:00PM, meaning for 200+ parcels at Wintergreen, it is currently unlawful to ignite an outdoor recreational fire. Nelson County released today that a total burn ban is “imminent”. The bans remain in effect for 60 days, unless they are renewed and/or cancelled by the jurisdiction.
Conditions at Wintergreen are extremely dry, and there is no significant rain in our forecast. Our new WPOA Board of Directors will meet just after the annual WPOA meeting this Saturday, at which time they are expected to adopt a short-term policy prohibiting open burning anywhere within the Wintergreen Master Plan. If they don’t enact a ban, I will notify you.
What does this mean?
Even if you have a fire pit which is fully compliant with WPOA regulations, you will not be permitted to use it during the burn ban. It is the property owner’s responsibility to assure that all guests are aware of the prohibition. If fires are reported to Wintergreen Dispatch, (434-325-1106) the Fire Department will respond to immediately extinguish the fire.
Propane fire features are not included in this prohibition. Propane fires don’t emit embers, and they can simply be extinguished with the turn of a valve. We’re hopeful this ban period will incentivize owners to throw away their wood-burning pits forever and replace them with much safer propane alternatives.
Obviously extinguishing fires requires water. While we have not yet reached mandatory restriction thresholds, we’re right on the cusp and now is the time to start voluntary water conservation measures.
Other than not lighting fires, what can you do to improve fire safety during these hazardous times?
• Be very careful with your ashes from indoor fires. They can remain hot enough to ignite a fire for days. Please only dispose of ashes in the metal barrels provided at dumpster sites.
• Do not park your vehicle on top of dry leaves or grass. Your exhaust system is hot enough to ignite fires. Years ago a Wintergreen home burned to the ground due to a fire started by a car parked on leaves.
• If for some reason your car catches fire while driving, please do not pull off on the shoulder if the shoulder includes grass or leaves. Place the vehicle in park, set the emergency brake, turn it off, and exit. Always remember to evacuate uphill from a car fire and avoid the smoke.
• If you see a fire, or suspect there may be fire, don’t assume someone else has already dialed 9-1-1. Call it in. Begin your call with “I’m at Wintergreen” and then give your precise location.
• If you discover a “spotfire” on the side of the road and you’re able to safely attempt extinguishment, do. Don’t wait for the Fire Department, get started. Any non-flammable liquid will do. Kicking gravel, stomping, rain dances, ….get creative! The easiest fire to extinguish is a small one. Fires can double in size every 60 seconds.
• Become a volunteer with Wintergreen Fire Department. We can provide all the training.
The annual Wintergreen Property Owners Association will begin Saturday at 9:00AM in the Skyline Pavilion. We hope you will come early to visit with Wintergreen Fire & Rescue, as well as Wintergreen Police. Your public safety team will be on hand beginning at 8:00AM to answer any questions you may have. If you have not yet cast your vote for the WPOA Board of Directors, you may bring your ballot to the meeting.
Thank you for being a part of making our community safe. I hope to see you Saturday.
Curtis
—
Curtis N. Sheets, MPA
Chief of Wintergreen Fire & Rescue”
Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
A few new faces entered key political offices in Nelson County during Tuesday night’s election. As we mentioned in this news bulletin Tuesday night, Mark Embrey unseated long time incumbent Sheriff David Hill.
Another winner and newcomer to Nelson politics is Dr. Jessica Ligon, DVM. She, and her late father, have been veterinarian owners of Lovingston Animal Hospital for decades.
In the west district, incumbent David Parr won re-election, by a 65% margin, against newcomer Mark Franklin.
Below are other numbers from school board races in the south and west districts, as well as the Soil and Water Conservation Director race.
Some local races were uncontested.
Here’s a link to all of the numbers from Nelson that includes the races above and other local and state races.
Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
Incumbent Nelson County Sheriff David Hill has lost to newcomer candidate Mark Embrey.
For quite sometime Tuesday night the results were slow to come in.
In a written message from Nelson County Election Registrar Jackie Britt at 9:05 PM, she confirms that Mark Embrey has won the sheriff’s race.
“Unofficial totals Embrey 3347 Hill 2963 Still have provisionals & hand counts to add but not enough to make a difference.”
Dr. Jessica Ligon, DVM also won in the south district BOS race.
Totals for Nelson County can be found here.
Afton Mountain
I-64/250 Interchange – Exit 99
Augusta County, Virginia
From VDOT 6:50 PM
“On US-250 in the County of Augusta, in the vicinity of the ramp from I-64E and West, motorists can expect delays due to a vehicle crash. All east lanes are closed. The west right lane and right shoulder are closed.
The left turn lane is open.
Last updated:
Tue 11/07/2023 6:50 PM EST”
Wintergreen
Nelson County, Virginia
From Wintergreen Fire & Rescue:
Original post : 11.7.23 6:11 PM
“There has been an accident on Wintergreen Drive which will require closure for approximately 1 hour. Single lane traffic will remain open until approximately 6:30PM. If you need to leave the mountain, please do so immediately. If you are returning, please make alternate plans.
Once the crane begins lifting the moving truck, we will not be able to pause operations”
Central Virginia Blue Ridge
The time has come once again, that is if you like those carefree long summer days! I sure do!! Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend. It officially ends at 2AM Sunday morning (November 5, 2023). But for those of us that turn in at a reasonable hour, it’s best to set your clock back one hour before heading to bed Saturday night.
Here’s to that perceived extra hour of sleep we lost last spring!
The time doesn’t change again until March 10, 2024 when we will once again spring forward.
