Fayette County, WV (WOAY) – Crews are still battling a wildfire burning along Route 41, headed from Route 61 to Prince.
The fire is being called the Batoff fire. It has burned roughly 174 acres and is still active.
39 of those acres are within the boundary of the New River Gorge National Park.
Authorities believe it began on Saturday. There haven’t been any structures endangered at this point.
District Supervisor Dave Bieri told us today that crews haven’t seen the dramatic flame activity today that they saw over the weekend. He said that warm temperatures and wind could cause more activity.
Park service has sent firefighters from Michigan and Illinois to assist.
Bieri said these brushfires are typical.
This fire comes in the middle of West Virginia’s spring fire season, when burning is prohibited from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Individuals are only allowed to burn vegetation such as leaves, brush, and yard clippings.
Any person or company who causes a fire on any grass or forest land must pay a fine ranging between 100 and 1000 dollars, including an additional 200-dollar civil penalty.
Statewide burning restrictions will stay in place until the end of fire season on May 31.
Bieri says it’s important to practice good fire safety no matter what time of year it is.
