After assessing all the safety measures, the Great Dismal Swamp officers have decided to reopen the Lake Drummond for boating on Saturday morning.

The lake was closed three months back when wildfire erupted at the Great Dismal Swamp. The reopening announcement was made by Chris Lowie, the refuge manager at the Swamp. Only lake would remain open and that too only in morning while other places like the interior ditch road, pier, and auto tour route would remain closed.

Lowie affirmed, "Public safety has been a goal from day one, but we now feel it is appropriate to reopen the lake to boaters accessing from the Dismal Swamp Canal and the Feeder Ditch". The incident happened on August 4 when lightening system sparked and in ability to take action on time led to wildfire.

When firefighters arrived on the scene, they used Lake Drummond water to control fire. It was difficult to manage the water through other systems, so they directly pumped the water and diverted it the fire area. Fire was at such a level that aircrafts were used to throw water from buckets on the fire. The incident cost was nearly $12.5 million

Lowie said that he has been continuously publicizing one thing that only boating is allowed, and rest areas would remain closed. He further affirmed that it only after close monitoring that they have allowed water access for public recreation. On Saturday, the lake would be opened by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, and then people would be able to enjoy the popular water trail in canoes, kayaks and small power boats.

Operation mangers and firefighters are having a close watch on smouldering hot spots, and are looking for reconstruction work of roads, and parts that got destroyed in blaze.