Fire crews and others from Henry County were among those responding to a massive wildfire in the Woolwine area of Patrick County this week.
The blaze began last week as a brush fire that initially was limited to between 20 and 30 acres. By early this week, it was considered a wildfire, with 500 acres involved and only about 10 percent contained.
Emergency crews are on the scene of the wildfire in the Ravens Den, Tuggles Gap, and Blue Ridge Parkway area of Woolwine, Patrick County Emergency Management said in a release.
Patrick officials declared a local emergency that included a county-wide burn ban. It will remain in effect until further notice, while firefighters and others created fire containment lines to protect against the loss of life, property, and structures.
Motorists were asked to avoid the area and beware of increased emergency vehicle traffic, with homes in the communities of Ravens Den, Tuggles Gap, and Blue Ridge Parkway notified.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin included the Tuggles Gap area in Patrick as one of the two sites named in a state Declaration of Emergency issued on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
The initial brush fire began when a tree fell onto a powerline and knocked it down, according to Kenny Brady, a member of the Woolwine Volunteer Fire Department.
Emergency personnel from Henry, Patrick, Floyd, Surry, and Carroll counties, along with the Virginia Department of Forestry and Virginia Department of Emergency Management, will remain on the scene and on patrol throughout the week.
Photos courtesy of Woolwine Volunteer Fire Department.
