Wildfire in Patrick, Virginia

During the early afternoon of April 14th, 2006 a dissipating complex of thunderstorms moved into southwest Virginia from West Virginia. Lightning from one of the associated thunderstorms started a wildfire on Bull Mountain in central Patrick Co. Virginia. Due to dry insitu conditions, the fire grew to ultimately consume nearly 4000 forest acres of both state and private lands. Also destroyed were 3 homes, 6 structures, and a variety of personal property. There was a mandatory evacuation of 40 families with an additional 35 families recommended to evacuate, and many roads leading to the fire scene were closed by local officials. The fire prompted a declartion of a State of Emergency by the Governor for Patrick Co. Va.The only injury was an indirectly related to the fire when a firefighter sprained an ankle.