As residents of southern Fauquier County marveled at the fact that firefighters kept one of the region's largest brush fires ever from devouring the homes in its path Wednesday, fire investigators were seeking to determine whether it was kindled by carelessness.
Tom Davis, fire warden in the Warrenton office of the Virginia Department of Forestry, said it could be some time before blame is assigned. Authorities said the fire burned as many as 250 acres near the Stafford County line and traveled over about 600 acres in the nine hours it was most active.
"We're going to talk to some people," Davis said Thursday, declining to provide a time line for the investigation.
In the meantime, he said, Forestry Department crews will be patrolling the area into this week for fear -- somewhat alleviated by Thursday's rain -- that the lowland hardwood involved in the fire will ignite again.
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"We'll be checking here; we'll be around," Davis said as he inspected the fire's remnants Thursday from the comfort of his truck. The day before he was nose-to-nose with a wall of flames as he scoured out a fire line with a bulldozer.
Since Feb. 15, the state has been under an order that prohibits open fires before 4:00 p.m. within 300 feet of woods or brush until May 1. Wednesday's fire was first reported about 12:30 p.m. If it is determined that a prohibited fire was the origin of the blaze near Goldvein, which caused the evacuation of about 60 residents, the individual could be liable for the cost of fighting the fire.
And that bill could be a doozy.
State and local officials said two helicopters, an airplane, several pieces of heavy construction equipment and at least 31 firefighting vehicles were mustered to knock down the fire, which, except for an abandoned farmhouse, took none of the approximately 40 residences in or near its path.
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An estimated total of 200 rescue workers from volunteer departments as far as 80 miles away worked to contain the fire that, by midafternoon, was being pushed along by wind gusts that reached 40 mph. Rescue workers were joined by several residents who dug in and refused to leave their houses along Sillamon, Blackwells Mill, Bristersburg, Elk Run and Beaver Dam roads.
Police and fire officials said the fire began on residential property in the 13000 block of Sillamon Road and, pushed by southerly winds, spread northeast. A man who answered the door at the residence said that investigators had questioned him and that he knew little about what might have caused the fire.
"I don't know anything about it. I truly don't," the man said.
Blackened earth and undergrowth on the property appeared to lead to a pit containing the charred remains of tin and aluminum cans and other trash.
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Davis, the fire investigator, said there is a possibility the blaze was caused by a trash fire. Whatever the cause, the fire was abetted by a number of elements still conspiring to make the region a potential tinderbox, said Virginia State Fire Chief Lou Southard.
"This time of year, we have low humidity and high winds, typically in the March and April months," he said. Additionally, the lack of foliage allows the sun to dry fuel sources, such as thick undergrowth and leaves, rapidly after a rain. "The state is not what we'd call `greened up,' " he said.
In addition, Southard said, this year there was little snow, which typically would have packed down leaves and other growth.
As luck would have it, rain fell the day after the fire.
"Thank goodness. The good Lord brought his firetruck out for us," said Capt. Greg Mauck, of the Fauquier sheriff's office.
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In addition to thanking a higher power, residents were grateful to the people who kept the fire from taking lives or property.
"I don't know how they did it," said Pat Creekmur, 62, a retired teacher who lives in the 12000 block of Bristersburg Road. "Without them, a lot of people around here would have lost their homes."
Creekmur said she assumed that it was little more than an overreaction when she was ordered out of her house. But when she awoke Thursday morning, after returning the previous evening, she saw the smoldering stumps that marked the fire line just across the street.
"I had no idea it had gotten to within feet of my driveway," she said. "This is like something straight out of the movies."
Walter Grove, 71, a Somerville farmer, said 40 acres of his 60-acre stand of pine trees were destroyed, a loss he estimated at $1,000 an acre. The trees were to be used for wood pulp. But even if negligence proved to be a factor in the fire, Grove said he probably would not pursue legal action.
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"That's going to be a tough road to go," he said. "I don't know that it would accomplish much."
On Thursday, Chuck Butler, whose hilly farm afforded a wide view of the fire's swath, was more concerned with replacing the part of his fence that was burned and keeping his cows from straying.
"I'm just about done," he said, surveying the scene.
"Everybody's dwellings is still there. Nobody was hurt," he said, taking a break from his labor. "We can deal with the scorched earth and some scorched fields."
CAPTION: Firefighters battle the fire along Bristersburg Road. About 200 rescue workers fought the fire Wednesday, aided by several residents who refused to evacuate. An investigator said it is possible that a trash fire caused the huge blaze.
CAPTION: Fire officials said the blaze traveled over about 600 acres. Forestry Department officials plan to patrol the area this week for fear that the fire will start up again.
