Brush Fire Closes I-95 at Dale City Rest Area; Woodbridge Fires

Update: Feb. 20, 12:14 a.m.: Crews are currently working yet another brushfire at Omisol Road in Lake Ridge. Like many of the brushfires from Saturday, this fire is in an open field under power lines. Crews are also at Falmouth Court to protect houses in the cul-de-sac from the fire. Fire is under control with no structures affected at 12:26 a.m..

8:10 p.m.: All fires are under control, said Prince William County Government. Fire and Rescue crews are making final assessments and beginning to release units from all areas. No injuries have been reported at any location.

8:03 p.m.: From the Prince William County Government: the Fire Marshal’s Office has charged a 29-year-old male for carelessly damaging property by fire, when he left residue of a trash fire in the wooded area near Dale Boulevard, which started the 25-acre fire behind the K-Mart.

The county is under a high wind warning until midnight.

Update 6:33 p.m.: Units are currently working on containing fire in the wooded area behind Bungalow Alehouse in Woodbridge. Smaller fires in the capony of trees could be seen from the Prince William Parkway. Bungalow Alehouse confirmed it is closing now because of the fire. The manager of Panera Bread in the Smoketown Station shopping center off of the Prince William Parkway said that police told them to close in the interest of safety.

The fire at the Prince William Parkway and Smoketown Road has spread to 25-acres with reports of propane tanks igniting, authorities said. The 35-acre brush fire near I-95 North and Cardinal Drive is currently contained.

Update 5:15 p.m. Dale City Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Steve Chappell said the fire at the Dale City exit of Interstate 95 is out and crews are preparing to leave the scene. No one was injured and no structures were damaged, but Chappell said about 20 acres were burned.

Chappell said the fire was started by an improperly discarded smoking material. A homeless man reported the fire and admitted to having accidentally started it, Chappell said. According to Chappell, 18 units and 44 firefighters responded to the brush fire.

Chappell said crews have been fighting brushfires for the last 24 hours and he expects to see more as long as conditions remain windy with low humidity. "This could go on all night," he said.

5:10 p.m. Crews are still working at the fires behind Borders and behind which is encroaching upon the . Crews from Gainesville have been brought in to assist.

A brush fire near Eagles Point has also been reported.

4:46 p.m. Northern Virginia Community College is closed off due to a brush fire. Crews are still working at the Borders.

Update: 4:13 p.m. From Assistant Chief Warren Whitley,

"A brush fire at the Dale City exit of southbound Interstate 95 has consumed over five acres and one on the northbound side at Cardinal Drive has consumed over ten acres. Smoke is obscuring I-95 and NB I-95 has been shut down with the exception of HOV. The access ramps for the Dale City exit have been shut down.

A total of 96 units are on various calls in the County and off duty personnel have been recalled.

Any outdoor flame should be avoided in this dry, windy condition. This includes grilling and cigarettes and cigars."

3:58 p.m. Crews have the brush fire behind Borders under control at 2904 Prince Wiliam Parkway. 

3:43 p.m. I-95 around Dale City is closed for fires. Crews are also working a massive brush fire behind Borders off of Prince William Parkway.

3:16 p.m. Traffic on Interstate 95 southbound is being diverted onto High Occupancy Vehicle lanes in order to alleviate the volume from the brush fire. Crews are still working to keep the fire at bay.

A brush fire behind the K-Mart at 2851 Dale Boulevard has prompted the closure of  Interstate 95 southbound at the Dale City rest area while fire and rescue crews work to put it out.

Lake Jackson and Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton volunteer fire department rescue crews are on the scene of the brush fire.

The Prince William Department of Fire and Rescue has said that there are several large brush and woods fires in progress throughout the county and that several fires orginiated in or near homeless camps.

The department also said that here is at least one area where homes are currently being threatened.

Fire marshals and and police officers are distributing flyers to those camps to make everyone aware of fire hazards and threat. 

A burning ban is still in effect, including open campfires. Improperly discarded cigarettes have also caused fires. Citizens and residents are reminded to ensure smoking materials are fully extinguished and properly discarded to avoid starting fires.