ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va (Rocktown Now) – The U-S Forest Service says it is sending in a team of specialists this weekend to help battle the wildfires still burning across the area.

In a release, the service said that an 80-person Complex Incident Management Team – also known as the Gold Team – is arriving in the Valley today.

The squad will take over management of all ongoing firefighting efforts in the area. Chief Jeremy Holloway with Rockingham County Fire and Rescue told WSVA this is a welcome development.

The chief added that although he has never worked with the Gold team, another version of the unit proved to be an effective partner when he served with a different agency.

Holloway added that firefighters have so far managed to save dozens of homes in this week’s wildfires.