The Pendleton County Office of Emergency Management announced that multiple fire departments, including some from Virginia, and WV DOF personnel were battling a “wind swept wildfire” on Greenawalt Gap Road near Upper Tract.

Photos and videos posted on social media by the Pendleton County OEM show intense smoke in the sky and the fire itself spreading closer to structures in the area. In an 8:30 p.m. social media post on Wednesday, the Pendleton County OEM confirmed that personnel were still battling the fire and that the flames had “come very close to some structures.”

On Thursday, just before 7 a.m., the office released a new statement that said the Greenawalt Gap Fire had consumed 170 acres and was at 70% containment. At the time, crews were continuing to work the scene.

“Thanks to all the firefighters from the VFDs, WV DOF and citizens,” the social media post from the Pendleton County OEM stated. “Thanks to the many citizens, businesses and organizations who have provided food and beverages.”

On Thursday, the Pendleton County OEM said the Greenawalt Gap Fire had consumed 170 acres and was at 70% containment.

As of press time, there has been no further update on the Greenawalt Gap Road Fire.

Earlier Wednesday morning, between 5:22 a.m. and 6:13 a.m., the Pendleton County OEM announced that crews had responded and extinguished a small wildfire near Eagle Rock.

“Upper Tract VFD, Franklin VFD, South Fork VFD, Moorefield VFD, Petersburg VFD, WV DOF and Pendleton OEM are on scene of a small wildfire near Eagle Rock in the Smoke Hole Canyon,” the Pendleton County OEM said on social media Wednesday morning before announcing the fire had been extinguished. “Currently under control, but very windy. They must deploy watercraft to get across the South Branch of the Potomac River.”

On Nov. 10, the Pendleton County OEM and the USDA Forest Service announced that the Monongahela National Forest “Woodside Fire,” which had been burning since Nov. 5, had consumed more than 350 acres and was at 75% containment.

The Woodside Fire was reported to be located in the area of Vance Run, near Big Mountain and off WV State Route 28, close to the border with Highland County, Virginia. On Nov. 9, the Forest Service stated that the Vance Run Trail, near the Laurel Fork River, is closed “for the public’s health and safety.” Members of the public are asked to stay out of the area “for safety of themselves and firefighting resources.”

On Nov. 11, the Pendleton County OEM announced that the Woodside Fire had reached a “substantial level of containment and extinguishment.”

“Through the dedicated work of firefighting personnel and the assistance of recent snowfall, the situation has stabilized,” the Pendleton County OEM said on social media on Nov. 11. “Further updates will be provided only if new or significant developments occur. Thanks to all the firefighters with our area VFDs, WV DOF, USFS and any others we may have missed.”

As of press time, there is no update on the Woodside Fire.

According to Drought.gov, as of press time, approximately 573,300 West Virginia residents are in areas of drought. One hundred percent of Pendleton County is currently categorized as being in severe drought conditions.

The Forest Service asks that all West Virginia residents follow the state’s burning season guidelines, which state that outdoor burning is prohibited during the hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 31.