Great Dismal Swamp smoke could drift into area Saturday

The smoke from the Great Dismal Swamp fire has made it's way to and is being seen in Nanticoke as of about noon today. (08/19/11) 

 Is your area being affected by the smoke, or have you personally seen the smoke from the Great Dismal Swamp? If so tell us about it or better yet send in a picture or two.

It appears now that smoke from the Great Dismal Swamp fire could drift into Richmond Saturday instead of Sunday, officials say.

“It looks like tomorrow is the best chance for the Richmond area getting smoke,” said Bill Hayden, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Quality.

The smoke should stay off the east on Sunday, Hayden said. “Beyond that, we don't have a good idea yet.”

Officials said Thursday the smoke could arrive here Sunday morning. But predicting the movement of the acrid cloud far this far from the fire has proved difficult.

The fire is contained largely in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge about 90 miles southeast of Richmond.

Much of eastern Virginia, from New Kent and Charles City counties to the coast, is under a Code Orange pollution alert today, meaning the air could be unhealthy to breathe, especially for people with lung and heart problems.

Lightning started the fire Aug. 4. It is likely to continue until that area gets a drenching rain, experts say.

The fire has burned more than 6,000 acres. It is about 15 percent contained. More than 430 firefighters are battling it.

VIA: Richmond Times Dispatch

Pictures Per; WAVY.com