Backus Mountain News Today

The West Virginia Senate Economic Development Committee has approved a bill that would allow Department of Commerce subagencies to contract for the management of state forests and wildlife management areas to prevent wildfires. Senate Bill 688 would allow the directors of the Division of Forestry and Division of Natural Resources to award management contracts notwithstanding the competitive bidding process, when the contract is needed for an economic development project.

On this Black Friday (and almost Small Business Saturday), when you shop local your money stays local and it helps our communities thrive. Beckley's Scentister is all about healthy air fresheners and more. "People don't realize the struggles that small businesses go through -- just to get a name and a reputation for themselves," said

Wildfires that burned through a total of 3,450 acres of forest this month on West Virginia woodlands managed by the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service were all listed

“It’s going to be closed for the foreseeable future," Steep Valley Fire Public Information Officer Tom Engberg said Friday. “We know that it’s a popular hunting area in the zone where it is, but due to an abundance of caution for firefighter safety we’re going to keep it closed for now.”

The National Park Service said the Steep Valley fire was first reported on Monday, Nov. 6 and is now 78 percent contained. The fire continues to burn minimally in steep and rugged parts of inaccessible terrain. 

Glen jean — The Steep Valley Fire is slowly burning itself into a corner at the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve with rain in the forecast for Friday,

FAYETTEVILLE — Low humidity, dry leaves and light winds on Thursday enabled forest fires to continue to burn at scattered locations across Southern West Virginia, bringing to 15,548 the total

GLEN JEAN, WV - Firefighters were able to stabilize the eastern flank of the Steep Valley Fire in the New RIver Gorge National Park and Preserve on Tuesday, achieving 78

GLEN JEAN — The Steep Valley Fire is currently 2,182 acres and containment is up to 78% as of Tuesday, Nov. 14. The fire continues to burn in steep and

Glen jean, wv — The Steep Valley Fire in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is adding acreage and intensity as the weather remains clear and the ground