Brush fire along Augusta County line keeps growing

UPDATE (May 4):

A forest fire burning along the county line of Augusta and Rockbridge counties continues causing problems for firefighters.

Several crews are at the scene, where a fire has burned about 500 acres and keeps growing.

Firefighters say gusty wind conditions on Friday are making it difficult to fight the flames, which has prevented the blaze from being contained.

But they do say it's manageable. Bulldozers are on scene to help clear debris and create fire lines.

Route 56 (Tye River Turnpike) remains closed in Rockbridge County between Route 608 (South Bottom Road) and the Nelson County lin.

According to VDOT, the road will be closed until at least noon on Saturday, when the U.S. Forest Service will re-evaluate the fire.

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UPDATE (10:43 p.m.):

Fire crews say about six to 10 homes are in the 'critical zone' of where the brush fire is burning, but there are no mandatory evacuations at this time.

Approximately 200 to 250 acres are now burning.

Firefighters are on standby with water hoses in case the flames come down the mountain.

WHSV has a reporter on the scene. Stay with us for new details on this developing story.

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Fire crews are battling a forest fire that started after a vehicle fire in Rockbridge County, according to WHSV's sister station WDBJ.

The brush fire is on the Rockbridge and Augusta County line.

Fire Chief Nathan Ramsey told WDBJ about 75-100 acres are burning.

The fire was originally started by a vehicle fire on Route 56 around 5:45 p.m. Thursday and winds have blown the flames up the mountain.

Augusta County residents in the area have been notified and are being protected.

Route 56 will be closed overnight from S River Road (Route 608) to the Blue Bridge Parkway.

Rockbridge County Fire and Rescue is on scene, along with Augusta County agencies, the Virginia Department of Forestry, and the U.S. Forest Service are assisting.