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Matts Creek Fire Nearly Contained

Matts Creek Fire Nearly Contained

Crews have battled the Matts Creek Fire for more than two weeks. Photo: Saga Communications/Courtesy of USFS


NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. — Firefighters are making steady progress against the Matts Creek Fire, which has burned more than 11,000 acres in Washington and Jefferson National Forest near the Rockbridge/Bedford County line.

This morning, officials said that wildfire is now 93 percent contained.

Forest Service resource coordinator Pete Irvine told Roanoke television station WFXR that folks in the area may see more smoke in the coming days as pockets of flammable material burn up, but he says that firefighters will closely monitor those mini-fires to ensure that they remain under control.

Irvine added that crews are working carefully to preserve the natural environment as much possible, while still efficiently putting out the fire.

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