Dozens of wildfires erupt during blustery conditions along Appalachian Mountains

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Wildfire activity explodes in Virginia fueled by winds, dry conditions

New wildfires near Virginia's Shenandoah Valley prompted evacuations on Wednesday fueled by low relative humidity and windy conditions. 

FRONT ROYAL, Va. – A welcome forecast of rain Friday had firefighters hopeful for an assist from Mother Nature in battling dozens of wildfires burning from Maryland to North Carolina, 

At least nine fires greater than 100 acres in size continued burning Friday across Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley, with several near the West Virginia state line.

Officials with the Virginia Department of Forestry said state firefighters responded to more than 100 wildfires over the week, burning more than 7,500 acres.

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But a storm rolling up the Atlantic Coast on Friday is set to bring a period of steady rains to the region through Saturday. 

One of the largest fires appeared to be burning in Rockingham County, Virginia, where more 2,000 acres are thought to have been destroyed, and evacuation orders were issued.

In neighboring Page County, schools were closed earlier this week, and an evacuation shelter has been opened at a local high school. In Shenandoah County, a local state of emergency was declared, and residents within 2 miles of the Star Tannery area were told to evacuate on Wednesday. Most of those evacuation orders have since been lifted. 

Multiple roads and highways are closed because of fire activity in Shenandoah and Page Counties, including parts of Highway 211 West.

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The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality issued a health alert through at least Friday night due to the potential of unhealthy particles in the smoke.

"Active children and adults should limit or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities until conditions improve. People unusually sensitive to air pollution, especially those with heart or lung disease (including asthma), should avoid strenuous outdoor activities until conditions improve," the department said.

A photo of the Rocky Branch Fire inside Shenandoah National Park in Virginia on March 20, 2024. 

(NPS)

At least one of the fires is burning in the Shenandoah National Park, forcing nearby evacuations and the closure of parts of the historic Appalachian Trail. 

National Park Service officials said the Rocky Branch Fire forced the closure of Skyline Drive from Thornton Gap to Mathews Arm. The Rocky Branch Fire is estimated to be about 450 acres. 

An orange-tinted sky filled with thick smoke could be seen in Luray, Virginia.

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Wildfire smoke turns sky orange above Virginia

Smoke is seen billowing above Luray, Virginia as multiple wildfires burn in Shenandoah Valley fueled by dry and windy conditions on Wednesday. (video: Marios Wallace Photography)

So far, local authorities have not reported any fatalities associated with the fires, but the combination of wind gusts of more than 60 mph and fast-moving flames caused at least 10,000 electric outages in the region earlier in the week, according to PowerOutage.us.

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The eruption of flames came just hours after the West Virginia Division of Forestry warned about the start of the spring fire season when burning faces increased restrictions.

According to NWS offices in Washington, D.C. and Blacksburg, Virginia, the amount of fire activity is not unprecedented when compared to previous firestorms over the last few decades.

Widespread rains are expected to drench the region on Friday, which will be beneficial to firefighters working to contain the blazes.