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Smoke lingers, hot spots remain after brushfire

Posted at 10:33 AM, Apr 11, 2013
and last updated 2013-04-11 20:18:41-04

CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WTVR) – Fire crews are still extinguishing hot spots after a brush fire Wednesday burned 75-acres across Chesterfield County and shutdown area roads for hours.

Chesterfield fire's Lt. Jason Elmore said small flare-ups are expected across the burn zone and that crews will monitor conditions throughout the day.

Fire officials also warned that drivers could run into smoke along Route 288 between Courthouse and Iron Bridge roads. Elmore said drivers should drive carefully through the smoke and adjust speeds accordingly.

Additionally, the Virginia Department of Forestry flagged Thursday with a high fire danger rating.

Officials warned folks not to start burn piles since hot temperatures and low humidity, paired with high winds, could fuel blazes and cause them to spread very quickly.

Chesterfield fire officials urged residents not to do any burning and to make sure to throw away smoking materials in approved containers and not to toss cigarette butts from vehicles or put them out on the ground.          

Chesterfield firefighters and forestry officials tapped every resource on Wednesday after they eworked at a feverish pace to keep the fire from swallowing homes off Courthouse Road and crossing 288 to a nearby business park.

Luckily, no homes were destroyed, with no loss of life.  Now, firefighters are focusing on how it all started.

"It could be something as simple as a cigarette, but we just don't know at this point," said Reuse.

At one point Wednesday, there was a fire in three counties; Chesterfield, New Kent and Richmond.

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