A wildfire that began Sunday in Madison County is nearly contained.
According to officials, Madison County Emergency Services was notified at approximately noon Sunday of a fire approximately 100 yards from President Herbert Hoover’s Rapidan Camp in the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area. The fire had originally been reported to be approximately 100 feet by 100 feet in size, but quickly grown to 1 acre.
The blaze was battled until well after dark by personnel from the Madison County Volunteer Fire Company, Madison County Emergency Management, Madison County EMS, the Virginia Department of Forestry, Shenandoah National Park and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation with help from local volunteers. The fire was located in steep and rocky terrain, not far from where the Quaker Run Fire had occurred in 2023. That fire burned nearly 4,000 acres over several days.
Crews were able to limit the Hoover Camp Fire to 20 acres. Fire activity was reduced within established fire lines after dark. Operations continued Monday morning. As of the afternoon hours, crews were refreshing lines to continue holding the fire. The fire was reduced to a few hot spots within the lines and activity was hampered by rain that occurred overnight. It is expected to be 100% contained before crews depart this evening.
