Brush fire in Roanoke County spreads to around 14 acres

Roanoke County, Virginia – As firefighters attempt to contain a brush fire, drivers in the Catawba area of Roanoke County may detect smoke in the vicinity.

The first information about the brush fire on Keffer Road was reported to the authorities at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 17. According to officials, there is no structural risk from the fire, which is occurring on private property not far from the Jefferson National Forest.

At around 8:45 a.m. on Monday, March 18, the fire was 20% contained and spanned approximately 14 acres.

The US Forest Service, the Virginia Department of Forestry, and small ground crews from Roanoke County Fire & Rescue will be helping with containment operations.

Regarding the current weather, the National Weather Service issued a special weather statement, which is attached below:

After coordination with local land managers, a Fire Danger Statement has been issued for Alleghany, Surry, and Wilkes Counties in northwest North Carolina, as well as Virginia Counties along and east of the Blue Ridge, and parts of the southern Shenandoah Valley. In these affected areas, gusty winds will coincide with low humidity and dry fuels. Fires will have an easier time starting and spreading. Refer to your local burn-permitting authority on whether you may burn today. If you do burn, exercise extreme caution.

The origin of the fire is still being looked into, according to the Roanoke County Fire Marshals Office.

It seems improbable that the fire will be entirely extinguished on Monday, according to the authorities.