A blaze firefighters have been dealing with for several weeks jumped its perimeters Sunday, burning approximately 25 acres close to the New River National Park in Glen Jean.
Mount Hope Volunteer Fire Department Chief Shane Wheeler said the fire originated two to three weeks ago at a gob pile, or an old coal dump that has been reclaimed.
Wheeler said 25 acres had burned previously as the fire jumped its perimeters and an additional 25 acres of woodlands burned Sunday.
Because the gob pile is underground, Wheeler said it is difficult and extremely dangerous for firefighters to battle, as crevices form, creating a danger for the ground to collapse.
“We basically build a perimeter around it (fire) and clear all the leaves and brush around it so it doesn’t go anywhere,” he said, explaining the safest method is to simply let the fire burn itself out.
Wheeler said crews with bulldozers will widen the perimeters this morning.
Sunday was the fifth time firefighters have been called to the blaze in the past three weeks, but Wheeler said it has generally been contained to just the gob pile.
The original fire, Wheeler said, is not suspicious and could have been caused by a number of things including lightning.
No injuries were reported Sunday and Wheeler said no structures were threatened by the fire.
Crews from Oak Hill, Pax, Ansted and the National Park Service assisted.
— E-mail:
mjames@register-herald.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
F. Brian Ferguson
Crews continue to battle brush fire in Glen Jean
- Local News
-
-
Mount Hope man sentenced on firearms charge
A Mount Hope man was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Charleston to more than five years in federal prison. Evan Darnell Wagner, 25, will serve 63 months for his October guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
-
Green pleads for fund-raising ban during session
Insisting his motives are both pure and sincere, Sen. Mike Green pleaded with his Senate colleagues Tuesday to ban fundraising by lawmakers while in a 60-day session.
-
Senators want to build veterans nursing home in Beckley
America has a shabby history of tending to the needs of its returning war veterans, but some West Virginia senators want to start making amends.
-
Commissioners urge public to look into free prescription drug card
At Tuesday’s meeting of the Raleigh County Commission, County Administrator John Humphrey expressed concern that there are not more uninsured county citizens taking advantage of a free prescription drug card through the National Association of Counties.
-
Body reportedly removed from Guyandotte River
Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department removed a body from the Guyandotte River at Brier Creek bridge Tuesday, according to Chief Deputy C.S. Parker.
-
Ronceverte merchant shares concerns with City Council
When Mary Glover and her son Chris opened a floral specialty shop in the River City four years ago, their Edgar Avenue location seemed ideal. But Mary Glover is now frustrated over what she perceives as a lack of community support for the small business.
-
Three men found dead in Rainelle home
Three men, a father and his two sons, were found dead inside their Rainelle home Tuesday, the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department confirmed.
-
Glen Daniel bank robbery suspect nabbed quickly
A bank in Glen Daniel was targeted by an armed robber Tuesday afternoon who got away with an undisclosed amount of cash, but was apprehended moments later because of the actions of one brave deputy.
-
Fayette board member voices disapproval of energy program
At Monday’s Fayette County Board of Education meeting, board member David Arritt registered his disapproval of the county’s energy management program, which he compared to a “chain letter.”
- Calendar — Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Mount Hope man sentenced on firearms charge
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
