ROANOKE COUNTY, VA – The fire that started off Newport Road Saturday afternoon has been officially named the “Brush Mountain Fire” by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
As of 9:30 p.m., USFS personnel have taken command of the situation and are expected to provide updates regarding the fire’s size and containment status.
According to Roanoke County Fire and Rescue, at 6 p.m., the fire was estimated to cover between 200 and 250 acres, with containment reported at 0%.
However, the Department of Forestry is reporting 90 acres.
The Roanoke County Fire Marshal’s Office has been actively involved on the scene, although the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Newport Road has reopened, and there are currently no detours in place; However, drivers are advised to exercise caution in the area.
Back-burning operations are anticipated to take place overnight as crews work to manage the fire.
Residents may notice additional smoke and flames as firefighters attempt to burn up fuel ahead of the fire to slow its spread.
Crews from Roanoke County Fire & Rescue and Craig County remain on-site to protect homes in the area.
Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries or damage to homes, and no evacuation orders have been issued at this time.
However, residents in the Equestrian Hills neighborhood, particularly those on Arabian Lane and Filly Court, are encouraged to stay vigilant due to the active wildfire in the area.
Should evacuation orders become necessary, they will be communicated through door-to-door notifications and updates on the Roanoke County Fire and Rescue Facebook page.
Containment efforts are expected to continue into Sunday, as firefighters work diligently to manage the fire.
The U. S. Forest Service has also worked with their Appalachian Trail partners to temporarily close approximately eight miles of trail for public and firefighter safety as suppression efforts continue.
The USFS goes on to say this fire will likely grow in size before it’s over.
The fire started on private land but is now burning in a designated wilderness area on the National Forest.
