WOAY-TV (Oak Hill, WV): A brush fire, triggered early Tuesday morning during high winds, has been almost fully contained.
Chief Meteorologist Chad Merrill has the latest:
Deemed the Spruce Mountain Fire, crews were called to the scene off Clear Fork Road in western Raleigh County just before 1 a.m. Tuesday. Crews were on the scene for at least 6 hours and we are told the fire is expected to be fully contained on Wednesday. Crews are still estimating the numbers of acres burned in the fire.
On Monday, the brush fire risk was high thanks to relative humidity which dropped to 15-20% and 10-hour fuel moisture that was down to 10%. Winds ramped up late Monday into early Tuesday and crews were called to the scene just at the time when wind gusts approached 45 mph and humidity dropped to around 35% at the Beckley-Memorial Airport (nearest observation station). Additionally, rainfall for March is trending 0.50″ below-average at the Beckley-Memorial Airport.
Rain is helping to dampen fire activity this afternoon and evening. Humidity will remain elevated through midday Wednesday for crews to fully contain the lines. Humidity will drop Wednesday afternoon as sunshine returns, but the fire risk remains low. Dry, warm and breezy weather returns Thursday afternoon and again Friday afternoon with a moderate fire risk returning to the region.
What is the brush fire risk going forward for the next week? Chief Meteorologist Chad Merrill has the latest 7-Day Forecast:
