PATRICK COUNTY, Va. — The flames are wreaking havoc in our area. A new video shows the wildfire in Patrick County, Virginia.
It's part of a long list of fires in the region. It has drawn firefighters from all over.
A nearby hotel has made it their mission to help the first responders.
"We’ve been here since Monday fighting it. We’re making great headway with it here in the last couple of hours to the point that it’s almost 50% contained," Scottie Cassell, Emergency Management Director, Patrick County EMS said.
Fortunately, no lives have been lost due to this wildfire.
Cassell said that a normal brushfire has a certain time when it’s more active.
"It’s when the conditions for fire get perfect. It’s usually around this time of night, between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.," he explained. "This one’s acting a little weird, it wants to fire up in the morning times when the conditions are supposed to be putting it to bed. So, it’s waking us up pretty early and getting us jumping first thing in the morning and we’ve been able to get ahead of it every day so far and keep it in check."
While the fire crews are working diligently to control the fire, the community is using this as a time to bond with one another.
"He’s [hotel owner] feeding us," Cassell shared. "He’s given us motel rooms. My understanding is he rearranged some of his guests’ stays so we could have the rooms for our people who have traveled so far, taking showers and everything else to get a good night’s rest before the next morning."
Nick Bienick, the owner of Tuggle's Gap Roadside Inn said he stopped regular operations to open its doors to first responders.
"We’re going to take care of our guests the best way we can and offer the best hospitality we can," he said, "whether it be in a crisis like this or for a family on vacation in July.
Even a Patrick County resident Kelly Dalton is finding ways to lend a helping hand.
"They’re helping our community and it’s the least I could have done," she shared. "You know, I brought wipes, baby wipes, Tylenol, ChapStick, and just little basic things to help out."
A county-wide burn ban is still in effect and will remain in effect until further notice. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a State of Emergency on Monday, Nov. 6. regarding the Tuggles Gap fire and others in the state.
The Patrick County Sheriff's Office posted a statement on its Facebook page about the support received from the community:
"We also appreciate the overwhelming support from residents and business owners in Patrick, Floyd, and Henry counties who have generously contributed food, beverages, and personal hygiene items. If individuals are looking to donate, please keep donations to non-perishable goods and small items such as nutrition bars, snacks, hygiene items, and water for responders. Donations can be made at the Tuggle’s Gap Roadside Inn."
For concerns about home safety, please contact the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch non-emergency number at 276-694-3161.
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