Strong winds ripped through the Washington region Saturday, creating fast-moving fires, leaving thousands without power and toppling the National Christmas Tree. The National Weather Service reported that gusts reached at least 50 mph in all local jurisdictions. Those winds kept large brush fires in the suburban counties burning for hours, fire officials said, but there were no reports of deaths or serious injuries through early Saturday evening. One casualty, however, was the National Christmas Tree, a 46-year-old, 42-foot-tall Colorado blue spruce that was planted on the Ellipse, near the White House and National Mall, in 1978. The tree had previously been in York, Pa.
A National Park Service spokesman didn’t respond to requests for comment on a new tree. But ABC News reported that NPS horticulturists already knew that the tree likely wouldn’t stand much longer and a replacement has been identified.
Fire crews battled dozens of blazes around the region, including a fire near an industrial mulch plant in Laurel that burned out-of-control for hours. Mark Brady, spokesman for Prince George’s County fire and emergency services, said the blaze started near the 5400 block of Van Dusen Road and spanned 100 acres.
Interstate 95 was closed after the fire spread to grassy areas near the highway and to the median.
No homes were in the area near the blaze.
Traffic on I-95 in Virginia was also affected when some lanes were closed near Dale City due to a brush fire, according to Prince William County authorities. Another fire in the county, on Lake Forest Drive near Occoquan Forest Drive, destroyed one home, damaged others and scorched 200 acres.
Crews in Montgomery County spent hours fighting a Germantown brush fire that damaged several homes.
Fallen trees and branches also knocked down wires, cutting power to thousands of area residents.
By late Saturday afternoon, more than 6,700 Pepco customers, 5,400 Dominion customers and 8,300 Baltimore Gas and Electric customers were without power. The companies said they were calling in extra crews to help restore service.
