BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — Firefighters have contained 65% of a 275-acre wildfire at Cacapon Resort State Park in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, where crews are working to prevent the flames from reaching nearby homes.
The W.Va. Division of Forestry reported Thursday evening that firefighters had established new containment lines and conducted protective burns between the Kessel Fire and residential areas along Boulders Springs and Park Side Place in Morgan County.
The fire, first reported Monday, Nov. 9, has burned across portions of Cacapon Mountain near Berkeley Springs. It grew from approximately 10 acres Tuesday morning to a reported 260 acres Wednesday evening, reaching 275 acres Thursday. Some of the acreage increase may reflect controlled burning to strengthen containment lines.
Containment refers to the percentage of a wildfire’s perimeter that firefighters have secured to prevent further spread. It does not mean that all flames within those boundaries have been extinguished.
Fire began Monday, spread beyond containment lines
The Kessel Fire was first reported Monday afternoon after a passing motorist spotted smoke rising from Cacapon Mountain. The remote location, near the ridge between Kessel Road and Rock Gap, made the initial response difficult.
Firefighters established containment lines Monday, but the blaze crossed portions of those lines Tuesday morning, prompting an expanded response from local fire departments and state forestry personnel, according to early reporting by WV MetroNews.
By Wednesday evening, crews had contained approximately 60% of the fire, although burning trees, fallen timber and difficult terrain continued to complicate operations.
Morgan County Emergency Operations Director Marshall Younker told West Virginia Public Broadcasting on Thursday that the fire could be the largest documented in the county’s history.
Younker reported that no residents or businesses had been evacuated. Investigators are still determining the cause.
Crews protecting homes as firefighting continues
On Thursday, Division of Forestry personnel and local contractors used bulldozers to clear additional fire lines and conducted controlled burns to remove combustible vegetation between the wildfire and nearby residential areas.
Such operations, commonly called back-burning or burnout operations, reduce the fuel available to an advancing fire and help firefighters establish defensible boundaries.
Weather conditions delayed planned burning operations along the southern portion of the fire until Friday, Nov. 13.
“Our forestry crews, flight teams and supporting fire crews are making steady progress holding and expanding containment lines despite tough weather,” said Division of Forestry Director Jeremy Jones. “Keeping the public and our responders safe is our top priority. Please respect all park closures and follow state burning guidelines.”
The response includes personnel from the West Virginia Division of Forestry, West Virginia National Guard, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, local fire departments, and supporting firefighters from Maryland and Pennsylvania.
One challenge has been the amount of dead timber on the mountain, including standing ash trees killed by emerald ash borers. Burning trees can fall unexpectedly or release embers that ignite vegetation beyond established fire lines, according to Morgan County emergency officials.
Crews planned to monitor containment lines overnight Thursday, with additional forestry personnel arriving before Friday’s operations. Firefighters are expected to complete southern protective burns, remove hazardous burning trees and extinguish remaining hot spots.
A West Virginia National Guard helicopter is also scheduled to return Friday to drop water on areas that remain active. The Federal Aviation Administration restricted airspace over the fire Thursday to protect firefighting aircraft, and additional restrictions are expected during Friday’s flights. Unauthorized drones can interfere with aerial firefighting operations.
Trails and lake remain closed at Cacapon
The wildfire has forced temporary closures within Cacapon Resort State Park, a roughly 6,100-acre recreation destination near Berkeley Springs known for its mountain overlooks, hiking trails, golf course and lake.
The Overlook Trail north of the Batt Picnic Shelter remains closed, and visitors are being instructed to stay south of the shelter to allow emergency personnel access to the mountain.
The park’s Upper Lake is also closed to public traffic while helicopters and firefighting crews use the area to support operations. Visitors can consult the official park trail map for the locations of park facilities and trails, although the map does not show current fire restrictions.
Officials have asked visitors not to approach the fire area to observe or photograph the response. Falling trees, active firefighting equipment, and changing fire conditions pose hazards even in areas where flames are not immediately visible.
The Berkeley Springs Fire Department reported that crews have sufficient supplies and no longer need donations of snacks or drinks.
The Division of Forestry is urging residents to exercise caution with outdoor burning and observe the state’s forest fire laws and burning restrictions.
Firefighting operations are expected to continue Friday as crews work to secure the remaining perimeter and prevent the wildfire from spreading beyond Cacapon Mountain.