Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Fire crews successfully contained the Brush Mountain Fire, which began on Saturday, March 22, off Newport Road in the Catawba area near the Roanoke County and Craig County line. The fire, which grew to 482 acres, was fully contained as of Sunday, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Units from Craig, Roanoke, and Montgomery counties, along with the Virginia Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service, managed the firefighting efforts. Crews constructed containment lines and conducted back-burning operations to prevent further spread. Sunday’s objectives included maintaining fire control and minimizing impacts to private property.
Residents in the Equestrian Hills neighborhood, including Arabian Lane and Filly Court, had been advised to remain vigilant. However, no evacuation orders were issued, and no structures were damaged. Although the fire is contained, residents may continue to see smoke in the area as vegetation within the containment lines smolders.
Newport Road, which had been temporarily closed, reopened with motorists advised to proceed with caution.
In addition to the Brush Mountain Fire, crews also worked to contain a separate fire off Route 311 near Hanging Rock. As of Friday night, that fire was estimated to be 50% contained with no structures involved.
