Great Dismal Swamp Fire 90% Contained

WVEC.com
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 1:28 PM

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SUFFOLK -- Hurricane Irene may not have put out the Great Dismal fire, but it did a lot to contain it.


“The world has changed since we last saw it,” said Incident Commander Mike Dueitt Tuesday.


Thanks to Irene, the fire is now 90% contained, but there are still nearly two dozen smoldering spots in the refuge.


Getting to them is challenging because of flooded roads and newly-fallen trees.


Tuesday was the first full day back on the job for firefighters. Two 20-person hand crews are cooling remaining burning areas with small pumps in the south end of the fire.


“We’ll be winding things down over the next few days,” Dueitt noted.