<body><div>BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. (November 11, 2026) – What’s now being referred to as the Kessel Fire on Cacapon Mountain is still challenging fire crews and members of the State Forestry division.The fire was first reported Monday afternoon and has largely been contained to the property of Cacapon State Park in Morgan County and some uninhabited hunting property nearby. However, there were scanner reports on Wednesday morning just before 10:30 requesting additional resources on the mountain in the Great Cacapon area saying the fire “has jumped the fire lines and is running up in the tree tops at some spots,” threatening structures near the 873 area of Polish Lane.As of 1 p.m., an update provided by Morgan County Emergency Communications said the following:According to the latest update from the West Virginia Division of Forestry, the backfire/backburn operations conducted along the northwest side of the fire have been successful in containing that section of the fire.Crews are currently planning an additional backburn operation along the northeast side of the fire, weather conditions permitting. These operations are being used as part of the ongoing efforts to establish and strengthen containment lines.Local fire department resources have also been added to the resource assignment along Kessel Road to assist with the incident. These local resources are being utilized to provide structural protection and help protect properties and structures in the area.As of mid-morning, thermal estimates placed the fire at approximately 160–170 acres, with approximately 30% containment.Fire conditions and operational plans continue to evolve as crews work to contain the fire.We appreciate the continued dedication and coordinated efforts of all local, state, and regional resources working this incident. Their work, along with the support and cooperation of our community, is essential to these operations.Public Reminder:Please stay away from the active fire area and allow emergency personnel room to work.Do not enter restricted areas or travel along access routes being used by firefighting resources.Residents in the surrounding area should remain aware of changing conditions and follow any instructions issued by emergency personnel.Smoke may remain visible in the area as firefighting operations continue.Marshall Younker, Director of Emergency Communications for Morgan County, appeared on Wednesday morning’s Panhandle Live to provide an update. “We had a briefing at 8 a.m. with the West Virginia Division of Forestry,” Younker said. “They’re continuing to operate on what’s been named the Kessel Fire in the Cacapon State Park. Last night when they closed operation, they were estimating it at just over 70 acres and about 30% contained.”At the time, Younker said there were crews working in the area on both the east and west sides of the mountain.One of their tactics is creating a containment line. “A containment line, basically it’s hand crews that use basically rakes or modified rakes to try to break down to earthen soil so the fire will burn to that line and stop moving. That’s essentially the way that most wildfires are put out, not really putting water on them that we see in a normal small fire,” Younker explained. “Due to embers blowing in that area, there’s a lot of ash trees that are dead from the ash borer beetles. The fires have gotten up in those trees so then embers blow beyond the lines and I believe that that’s what happened yesterday.”“They’re continuing to expand those (containment) lines out today further away and try to fall those trees or saw those trees onto the ground to prevent that.”Of concern on Wednesday was that crews would be felling trees to mitigate the risk of the fire spreading. To that end, Younker said he needs the public to avoid areas downhill of where the crews are working so no one gets injured by a falling limb or tree. Younker explained what would need to happen if there were evacuations. “Initially, there’d be door knocks. Law enforcement, fire department would do door knocks in each subdivision that they’d ask for evacuations as well,” Younker said.“We would update it on our social media on the Morgan County 911 page as soon as that happened and we also use an app called Smart 911 for mass notifications, we would make notification on that as well.” Younker explained the scope of the response. ““The last two days, we’ve had limited resources from our south and west due to a large fire over in Frederick County, Virginia,” that a huge fire near the Cove Campground in Gore, Virginia. “So we relied on resources out of Berkeley, Jefferson, and our own county here in Morgan County in West Virginia, as well as Allegheny, Washington County, and even Frederick County, Maryland. And then we also had some resources out of Fulton County, Pennsylvania over the last two days as well as Franklin County, Pennsylvania.” Many in the Morgan County community may have witnessed helicopters dropping water on the blazes Tuesday. “That’s actually a National Guard group out of Wheeling, West Virginia. They were here yesterday and done somewhere between 20 and 25 water drops. They’re using the water out of the lakes in the Cacapon State Park to do that and they’ll be back today,” Younker said, adding that work was planned to begin between 11 a.m. and noon. “Those basically help control the fire,” he said. “A lot of people think it’s putting it out. It basically just slows the fire down.”Younker expressed appreciation to community members who have offered to support the crews, including offering to feed them. “Just very, very grateful for the patience and support they’re receiving. We’re still taking calls here to 911 center. People want to provide meals and things of that sort. I understand. I also understand the fear of houses (being endangered by the fire.) We see things that happen out west with fires that shift and wind shift.”“Just be patient,” Younker advised. “Understand there’s going to be smoke in the area probably for several days unless we get a significant rain while they contain it.”“Try to remain out of the area so that the crews can work safely, especially don’t hike (or) try to hike into the area to get a picture to see where it’s at. You don’t know where they’re going to be cutting trees and even if they’re, you know, several 100 feet up the mountain cutting a tree. It can roll downhill just for safety. Just stay away from the area and let the crews work.”Following is the latest update from Wednesday morning’s briefing from Morgan County Emergency Services:As of this morning’s 8 a.m. briefing, the Kessel Fire remains active in the Cacapon State Park area. There is still considerable smoke in the area, and firefighting operations will continue throughout the day.CURRENT FIRE OPERATIONSWest Virginia Division of Forestry crews remain on scene and are actively working to establish and strengthen fire lines. Additional Forestry crews from Pennsylvania are currently en route to assist with today’s operations.A National Guard helicopter from Wheeling is also expected to arrive at approximately 11:00 AM today to provide additional aerial support.Incident Command also has a list of additional local resources available should they be needed as operations progress throughout the day.WHAT CREWS WILL BE WORKING ON TODAYToday’s primary objective is to establish sustainable fire lines and create a secure buffer between the active fire and areas crews are working to protect.There are several factors making this fire particularly challenging.A significant number of standing dead trees remain throughout the affected area. Many of these trees were killed by the Emerald Ash Borer infestation several years ago. These dead trees, along with the substantial amount of dead vegetation and fallen timber on the forest floor, provide additional fuel for the fire.Some of these standing trees are still burning. Crews must carefully address these trees because burned and weakened trees can fall unexpectedly, creating a serious safety hazard for firefighters.SIGNIFICANT SAW WORK EXPECTEDFire crews anticipate performing considerable chainsaw work today to safely bring down standing dead and burning trees and clear material necessary for fire line construction.This is extremely labor-intensive work. Trees must be assessed, cut, moved, and cleared while crews continue working to contain the fire.The amount of dead timber and accumulated ground fuels is increasing the workload and the time needed to complete these operations.WHAT IS A BACK BURN OR BURNOUT OPERATION?There is also a possibility that Forestry crews will conduct what is commonly referred to as a back-burn or burnout operation as part of today’s fire suppression efforts.For those unfamiliar with this firefighting technique, it involves intentionally burning vegetation in a controlled area between an established fire line and the advancing wildfire.The purpose is to remove available fuel before the main fire reaches that area. This creates a previously burned area, commonly called a black, that leaves less vegetation available to support the wildfire.Think of it as creating a protective buffer: when the main fire reaches an area where the available fuel has already been consumed, firefighters have a better opportunity to slow or stop its progress.These operations are carefully planned and conducted under the direction of fire command. They may temporarily produce additional smoke and visible fire activity.PLEASE STAY WELL CLEAR OF THE FIRE AREAFire crews are specifically asking the public to stay well away from the incident area today.There are several important reasons for this request:Chainsaw operations and falling trees create significant hazards.Dead and fire-damaged trees can fall without warning.Fire crews need room to move equipment, personnel, and supplies.Helicopter operations will require safe and unobstructed working areas.Smoke and changing fire conditions may create additional hazards.Please do not travel into the area to watch firefighting operations, take photographs, or get a closer look.Giving firefighters the space they need is one of the most important ways the public can help today.THIS WILL TAKE TIMEToday’s work is not simply about putting water on the flames. Crews are working to establish defensible fire lines, remove hazardous standing trees, address accumulated fuels, and create burned-out areas that can help prevent the fire from spreading beyond those lines.This is physically demanding, time-consuming work, and establishing secure fire lines takes careful planning and coordination.We appreciate the hard work and dedication of the West Virginia Division of Forestry crews, the incoming Pennsylvania Forestry resources, the National Guard aviation personnel, and all local agencies standing by to assist.Please continue following Morgan County 911 for verified updates.Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and continued support of the firefighters working to protect our community.STAY SAFE. GIVE OUR FIREFIGHTERS ROOM TO WORK.</div></body>

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BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. (November 11, 2026) – What’s now being referred to as the Kessel Fire on Cacapon Mountain is still challenging fire crews and members of the State Forestry division. The fire was first reported Monday afternoon and has largely been contained to the property of Cacapon...

Kessel Fire Update – Wednesday Afternoon

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BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. (November 11, 2026) – What’s now being referred to as the Kessel Fire on Cacapon Mountain is still challenging fire crews and membe

Kessel Fire Update – Wednesday Afternoon

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