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saxfiend
Mar 27, 2008, 10:52 AM
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Registered: Dec 31, 2004
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Local fire departments are battling a forest fire on Sauratown Mountain near Winston-Salem. Local news media report evacuation of some residents.
Nancy Jackson of the Carolina Climbers Coalition (CCC) has asked that climbers stay away from the area:
Nancy Jackson wrote: No visual details, yet. Left Hanging Rock today and saw heavy 'clouds' over S'town. Tonight, the news reported more than 25 acres is on fire. We could not determine from the news coverage which specific part of the cliff is burning, or how the fire started. Please do NOT go to Sauratown to climb. Once we have more details we will post it up ASAP. Right now, let's be hopeful that the homes and residents on the hillside are safe and the firefighters can get this under control.
JL
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ja1484
Mar 27, 2008, 12:22 PM
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Heh, thanks for the heads up.
Find the "please do not go to Sauratown to climb" thing kinda funny.
"Well Jim, just another 15 minutes of approach...we just stay on this same uphill trail and move through that wall of flame..."
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saxfiend
Mar 28, 2008, 7:00 PM
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UPDATE: As of last night (3/27), 250+ acres have burned. The entire cliff is affected and the trail is most likely obliterated.
Sauratown should be considered off-limits to climbing until further notice.
JL
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knieveltech
Mar 28, 2008, 8:04 PM
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Registered: Dec 2, 2006
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bump
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justroberto
Mar 29, 2008, 9:15 PM
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Registered: Feb 21, 2006
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bummer. at least s-town season is almost over anyways...
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bigredscowboy
Mar 30, 2008, 5:34 PM
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Registered: Jul 30, 2007
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arrrrgh, I was just thinking about going. Thanks for the heads-up
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glen63
Apr 1, 2008, 2:07 AM
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I am a fire fighter in king right next to S-town i would like everyone to know that the fire that started around 5pm on wednesday was under control and contained at 230pm or so today. that doesn't mean go right out and start climbing but at least you are kept up to date on what is going on. I think the total count was over 400 acres burnt. Any way. Have fun and Be Safe
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wallmonkey35
Apr 1, 2008, 2:38 AM
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Registered: Jul 28, 2005
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Thanks for the update glen63.
Everyone keep your eyes and ears out.
Im sure there might be a volunteer call soon to help Camp Hanes.
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dutyje
Apr 1, 2008, 2:43 AM
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Registered: Apr 1, 2004
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glen63 wrote: I am a fire fighter in king right next to S-town i would like everyone to know that the fire that started around 5pm on wednesday was under control and contained at 230pm or so today. that doesn't mean go right out and start climbing but at least you are kept up to date on what is going on. I think the total count was over 400 acres burnt. Any way. Have fun and Be Safe
Glen - thanks for the heads up.
Given the timing of this fire, and the fact that the season is almost over, it is really best for everyone to stay away at this point. The fire may be out, but there are probably plenty of hot spots around. Not to mention that the trail is wiped out, and trekking straight up to the wall is just going to create an erosion problem (and a big mess). The forest up there will need time to heal. It will also need an army of people up there to fix up a new access trail.
Best for everyone to stay away and wait for word from the CCC. Maybe we can get a bunch of people out there to help with the restoration. In a weird sense, this may be just the opportunity climbers have needed in order to secure more formal access to a great crag. Sad to see. Great job to all the fire depts involved (I saw tons out there last when I was climbing at Moore's last Thursday). The important part is that, as I understand it, there was no toll from a human or structural standpoint.
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