On Friday, April 14, 2006, a thunderstorm rolled through Patrick County, Virginia that became anything but the typical thunderstorm. Lightning struck on the Woolwine side of Bull Mountain in the county, causing a tree to ignite setting off a wildfire that is continuing to burn.

As of Monday morning, April 17, over 4000 acres have been burned, according to the Department of Forestry, and possibly 4 or 5 houses have been lost. The fire is still not contained. Smoke has covered most of the county and is seen through much of southwest Virginia.

Fire Departments from several other areas and even as far away as Tennessee have been called in to help. The Governer has declared the county a Disaster Area, the National Guard has been called in to assist and Virginia Tech has sent Fire Dept. personnel and equipment. There are now over 250 people helping to fight the blaze.

Photos that I took on Friday, Saturday and Sunday are posted on the Photos page.