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Fire investigators have determined that discarded ashes from a wood stove sparked a brush fire Monday on Bent Mountain in Roanoke County.
The fire burned 13 acres.
After all natural causes for the fire were ruled out, investigators determined that a homeowner dumped a pile of ashes in the back of their home. The homeowner believed the ashes were cool, but they were hot enough to start the fire.
Fire officials would like to remind you of the following:
- DO NOT store your metal ash container on your deck, in your garage or in any location that may allow heat to transfer from those hot coals to nearby flammable items.
- DO NOT place hot ashes in a dumpster. There are certainly other combustible materials already in the dumpster.
- DO NOT dispose of ashes in paper, plastic or cardboard containers.
- DO NOT assume the ashes are cold and pour them onto the ground (even into a hole) where leaves can blow onto them or the wind can stir up sparks.
- Once you are POSITIVE your container of ashes is “cold,” place in a pile and prepare your container for the next load.
- Teach other family members about the dangers associated with hot ash disposal.
- Be careful with ashes around areas you might not consider as combustible during wetter times, such as mulched flowerbeds and lawns that are drought stricken.
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Original story from Monday, Nov. 26
UPDATED: 4:00 p.m. - The brush fire on Bent Mountain has been contained by firefighters and will likely be turned over to the Virginia Department of Forestry for monitoring.
Gusty wind and low humidity made it difficult to fight the fire which grew to around 13 acres early Monday morning.
WDBJ7 has learned only one family was asked to evacuate. However, the flames never reached their home.
The cause of the fire still hasn't been determined.
UPDATED: 11:00 a.m. - A brush fire is burning in Roanoke County at the top of Bent Mountain where it meets Poor Mountain. The fire is currently contained to a 15-20 acre area around the 8600 block of Bent Mountain Road and between Willet Road and Poor Mountain Road.
Crews worked overnight to protect eight nearby homes. Officials even had to evacuate the residents from one of those houses. They have now been allowed to return to their home.
Here's the latest information from the Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department
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