Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 20, 1994                   TAG: 9403200100
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: D-7   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FIRE TEAMS WORK TO CURB GILES FIRE

Jefferson National Forest fire dispatcher Roy Powell said the fire, which began about 1 p.m. Saturday, was not close to being out at 7 p.m.

"But we are more comfortable with it than a few hours ago."

Powell said fire teams from Virginia Tech, Blacksburg and New Castle ranger districts and Giles County volunteer fire companies spent Saturday trying to contain the fire.

Containment involves using blowers and fire rakes to clear leaves and other flammable materials in a ring around the fire. Until that ring is complete, there is serious danger the fire will spread.

"The crews will probably spend the rest of tonight closing up that ring," Powell said.

Powell said crews were slowed by the large amount of debris from this winter's ice storms.

He said crews from the Mount Rogers District and Flatwoods Civilian Job Corps Center will go in early today, before the heat and wind pick up, to make sure there are no more hot spots in the forest.