Questions remain as wildfire cost climbs to $2.6 million
Share
The Shenandoah National Park wildfire has roamed over 10,000 acres and cost over $2.6 million to suppress, and questions remain about how it grew. Hawes Spencer has this report.
Park officials have been taking-- well-- heat for letting the fire get so big so fast. Veteran wildfire-fighter Bill Gabbert questions the initial response.
"It's always taking a chance when you allow a fire to spread in certain areas without suppressing it."
Officials claim their first comments about "containment" were misconstrued. Park spokesperson Sally Hurlbert:
"It was already a big fire when we first discovered it, and we've been working on it ever since then, bringing more and more resources in."
Resources include a plane, four helicopters, 11 engines, and 354 firefighters-- at a cost, thus far, of $2.6 million.
For WCVE News, Hawes Spencer outside the Park.
#
IMAGE: Roaring flames, seen here a week ago, have given way to bulging invoices. (Tom Daly)
#