Virginia Wildland Fire: Great Dismal Swamp, Suffolk, VA

Great Dismal Swamp, Suffolk, VA: The US Forestry Service has advised there is 6,000 acre brush fire nine (9) miles southeast of Suffolk, VA that has been burning since the evening of Aug 04, 2011 due to a lightning strike. Crews currently only have 10% containment on the fire. It is currently the largest fire in the history of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Re-growth of brush and grasses along with large amount of dead and downed fuel from the 2008 fire is currently fueling this fire. The prevailing winds are blowing smoke into the central, southern and eastern shore regions of Maryland. The National Weather Service in Wakefield Virginia advises this condition will remain throughout today.

This information is for your situational awareness and to use as you deem appropriate when handling inquiries from the public. Additional information is available at http://www.fws.gov/northeast/greatdismalswamp.  I will continue to update you as information becomes available.

Recommendations…

• Although the smoke being detected in the State may be from this fire in Virginia, persons should make sure any smoke is not from a local fire when reporting.
• Those with known respiratory conditions should use caution regarding your outdoor exposure until the situation improves.