Brush fire in Jefferson National Forest now at 20 acres

AMHERST COUNTY, Va. – Crews are battling a blaze in the Jefferson National Forest.

The fire was first reported Friday at 10:30 a.m. and is now about 20 acres.

The Cliff Fire is about 5 miles southeast of Glasgow and 5 miles northwest of Big Island.  

The fire is located south of U.S. 501 and the James River within the James River Face Wilderness on the Jefferson National Forest.  

About 20 firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service are currently working on the fire, along with one heavy helicopter.

According to officials, the wilderness and steep terrain make fires in this area hard to suppress. 

The fire has caused the following closures:

• A 10-mile section of the Appalachian Trail (Trail #1) from US-501 at the James River Foot Bridge south to Petites Gap Road (Road #35)
• The James River Foot Bridge parking area
• Matts Creek Trail (Old A.T., no current trail number)