ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – March 22, 2 p.m. update:
The ROCO Fire and Rescue team announced that first responders had contained 60% of the fire and that the fire now involves around 83 acres.
There are no estimates as to when it will be fully contained, but the roads are now back open.
March 21, 5:30 p.m. Update:
ROCO Fire and Rescue crews and the U.S Forest Service are still actively working to contain the brush fire and have approximately 30% of it contained. The brush fire is estimated to involve approximately 130 acres.
As of the time of the release, no structures are involved in the fire and Catawba Valley Drive from Hanging Rock and Bradshaw Road will be closed for another two hours.
Original:
As of 3:30 PM, motorists are advised that both lanes of Route 311 are closed as crews work to contain the fire. Catawba Valley Drive is also currently closed from Thompson Memorial to Bradshaw Road due to the brush fire. Please avoid the area until further notice.
Crews are currently on the scene of a brush fire in Roanoke County.
Roanoke County Fire & EMS confirmed the brush fire is located near the Hanging Rock roundabout and Route 311 in the Masons Cove area. The 10 News crew is also at the site of the fire.
Also on site were various residents who lived nearby and motorists who were trying to wait out the fire to continue on the road.
“Thus far I’ve been standing here and just watching it grow and just kind of hoping they’ll get it under control soon,” Mark Warren said.
Roanoke County’s Public Information Office confirmed that U.S. Forest Service crews are also on the scene to assist. They believe the fire began as a result of downed powerlines, and there are currently no structures threatened by the fire.
Winds also pushed the blaze across the hill next to the roads.
“I hope that the wind continues to blow that way, that the homes back up the road remain safe,” Warren said.
This is a developing situation. We will update you with more information as it becomes available.