Bedford, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - What started as a small fire in Bedford County has turned into a 5,148-acre wildfire.
The Matts Creek Fire is five miles southeast of Glasgow, Virginia and four miles northwest of Big Island, Virginia. It's primarily burning in the James River Face Wilderness.
In an update Friday morning, the Virginia Department of Forestry said the massive fire is now two percent contained. About 200 firefighters and support staff are working to put out the flames.
"Additional resources continue to arrive to assist in fire suppression efforts," the Department said. "Today, fire fighters constructed additional fire lines and reinforced existing fire lines around the perimeter of the fire."
Fire and smoke from the Matts Creek Wildfire has led to several counties issuing air quality alerts. Amherst, Bedford, Rockbridge, Buena Vista and Lexington County Schools were all closed on Friday due to the effects of the fire.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.