OVER 500-ACRE WILDFIRE IN BUCHANAN COUNTY THREATENS OVER A DOZEN HOMES

Over a dozen homes threatened due to 500-acre wildfire in Buchanan County. The Virginia Department of Forestry reports that a 15-member crew responded to the fire at 4 p.m. Friday and are still fighting the fire. A helicopter doused the fire from above, allowing crews to build fire lines all the way around the flames that at one point threatened dozens of structures. Damage was prevented to any homes. Crews are now in the mop-up phase, which entails going back to the lines and looking for hotspots and other concerning areas. This is the third wildfire in Southwest Virginia recently, as last week there was a 400-acre fire in Lee County and another 200-acre fire in that area over the weekend. The VDF encourages community members not to burn anything outside, especially with dry weather and windy conditions. 

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