POWHATAN COUNTY, Va. — A brush fire spread across more than 35 acres in Powhatan County near the Cumberland County line on Saturday afternoon.
The fire sparked in the 5900 block of Anderson Highway near Trenholm Road. That is where a passing driver captured a photo of the flames.
Sources said the fire continues to tie up emergency resources at this hour.
All firehouses in Powhatan County, as well as aid from neighboring Amelia and Cumberland, were working to contain the blaze Saturday evening.
"Please use caution in the area and beware of moving fire department vehicles," officials said.
Officials said the fire was approximately 90% contained as of 7:10 p.m.
Weather News
Most of Virginia now in a drought
CBS 6 Meteorologist Mike Goldberg said dry conditions likely helped fuel the flames.
"This is the problem. We've had such dry conditions; nearly half of the state is in severe drought conditions, including areas to the west," Goldberg said. "So that's where the focus is, and the majority of the rest of the state under moderate drought conditions. So any type of dry weather, little bit of a breeze, going to kick up some fires, and that will be the threat through the coming week."
A burn ban remains in effect as Virginia’s Burning Law restricts open-air burning within 300 feet of woods or dry grass before 4 p.m. through April 30.
While the cause of the investigation remains under investigation, officials said the burn ban does allow for outdoor burning from 4 p.m. through midnight through April 30.
Prince George County Fire and EMS posted on social media that they had worked three outdoor fire-related calls Easter weekend. Those included a fire sparked by a burn barrel that destroyed a two-story garage and multiple vehicles as well as an illegal burn and a brush fire that burned up to an acre.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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