SYRIA (WINA) – The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging some residents to leave their homes, and Big Meadows Lodge is closing early for the season, as the Quaker Run fire is now up to nearly 2500 acres with just 40% contained. Cory Swift with the Virginia Department of Forestry says the sheriff is urging residents evacuate north of Finks Hollow Lane near Dry Branch and Strother Run. Swift says no structures have been affected, but the evacuation is a precaution.

Friday, the fire was only about 800 acres with a 1600 acre containment area surrounding it. But Swift says the leaves are so dry, and they’ve been blowing across containment lines and igniting areas beyond… so they’ve finished another line around the current 2500 acres.

Because power is limited at Big Meadows after the power line that supplies the area was shut down as the fire has gotten close, Shenandoah National Park has decided to close it early as Skyland Resort and Lewis Mountain Cabins remain open.