Smoke may be visible in Virginia and West Virginia today due to a prescribed burn taking place in Augusta and Pendleton counties.
The US Department of Agriculture Forest Service will treat 37 acres at Todd Lake and 16 acres at Brandywine.
According to the service, smoke will likely be visible in Mount Solon, Bridgewater, Mount Crawford and Harrisonburg. Depending on the wind direction, residents and travelers in these areas may see or smell smoke.
There are no scheduled closures during these burns.
Prescribed burns improve wildlife habitat by restoring open woodlands and grassland conditions on the forest landscape.
Experienced fire managers will closely monitor local weather conditions such as wind and humidity and adjust the schedule as needed to ensure the safety of both crewmembers and residents.
The burn will mainly consume brush and dead herbaceous vegetation, according to the USDA Forest Service.
According to the National Weather Service, there is an elevated threat for the spread of fires through early evening for areas in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland.
Wind gusts up to 25 miles per hour are possible with humidity falling to 20 to 30 percent.
Fires may escalate under the conditions, according to the special weather statement.
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Crystal Graham
