Controlled Burn Caused by Quantico Creates Smoky Haze Across County

A massive cloud of smoke fell over a Fairfax and Montgomery County Sunday morning. The cause of the smoke? A controlled forest burn organized by Quantico. In an effort to help improve the overall fire safety of the forest, Quantico officials conducted a back burn to help limit the chances of potential forest fires in the future.

Hazy conditions in Bethesda & several other @MontgomeryCoMD areas Down County & along Potomac River, Glen Echo, Bethesda, Cabin John, Potomac, as well as Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, Rockville, Colesville all likely due to ‘prescribed’ burn (US Forest Service) in Fairfax Co, Va pic.twitter.com/t1nkXTws39

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 8, 2020

The area burned was a dudded impact area, meaning responders could not walk on the ground, so the fire had to be started via helicopter. The use of a helicopter contributed to the large smoke cloud, Quantico released in a statement on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/MCBQuanticoFireandEmergecyServices/posts/2566872513580754

Quantico urged people with respiratory issues or medical conditions that would be worsened by the smoke to stay inside until all of the smoke dissapated. In response to a large influx of 9-1-1 calls surrounding the incident, Quantico asked people to not call emergency services unless somebody was at immediate risk from the fire or smoke according to WTOP.

Maryland was not the only area to be hit by the smoke, as several reports claim that the cloud was noticeable in Prince William’s County Virginia. Quantico has stated that the burn was a success.

About Ryan Donovan

Ryan was a broadcast journalism major at the University of Maryland originally from Manalapan, New Jersey when he was an intern with Montgomery Community Media. He intends to graduate in Spring of 2020 and pursue a career in news room production.

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