The USDA Forest Service began conducting two controlled burns in Montgomery County on Thursday, Nov. 19.
The burns will continue on into late spring. Controlled burns serve to help keep people and homes safe by reducing the buildup of dried leaves and wood that can lead to uncontrolled wildfires in forest land close to populated areas. The burns are conducted only under appropriate weather conditions.
In Montgomery County, a 1,141-acre Brush Mountain West burn is located 2.5 miles north of Blacksburg and 2.5 miles south of Newport. The project area will be burned in four smaller sub-units to help fire managers control the possible impact of the smoke.
Trails in and around Pandapas Pond may be closed. For safety’s sake, persons in the area are urged to follow posted signs and trail closures when they occur.
The controlled burn is expected to have lingering smoke effects in the Poverty Creek Drainage. There may also be light smoke impacts to U.S. Route 460, Forest Road 10911 (Poverty Creek Road) and Forest Road 113. Depending on wind direction, residents and travelers in these areas may see or smell smoke.
A 50-acre Brush Mountain East burn unit is located adjacent to the Preston Forest neighborhood, 2.5 miles north of Blacksburg and 2.5 miles south of Newport. Smoke may impact areas in and around Preston Forest and along U.S. Route 460 depending on wind direction.
