HINTON W.Va. (Hinton News) – Anyone in Summers County who has been outside recently has been greeted by a haze and the smell of smoke in the air. This is likely from a fire burning approximately 15 miles from Hinton in a neighboring county on National Park land.
According to Dave Bieri from the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, a wildfire is burning in the New River Gorge National Park in a “remote location opposite the river from Grandview.” It is estimated to be approximately 150 acres. Bieri went on to say that the only closure in the park at this time is the War Ridge Campground and assures everyone that crews are working to contain the fire.
David Bieri is a district supervisor with the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
Local fire department personnel are asking everyone to please avoid burning outside. The risk is too high.
The air quality is already declining, according to a weather monitoring app. People with breathing problems should be cautious when out in the haze-filled air. Please call 911 if you experience a breathing emergency or see a wildfire.
