Rains Sunday helped firefighters in battling a 1,600 brush fire in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests and private lands of Rockbridge and Augusta counties, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The blaze, which started Thursday following a car fire on the side of the road on Virginia Highway 64 near Vesuvius, is 45 percent contained and showed little growth Sunday, said Gil Knight, a public information officer with the forest service.
"Things are looking pretty good," Knight said.
Knight said no structures are currently at risk and no people have been evacuated or injured. He said protecting about 19 structures near the fire are the top concern of the firefighters.
Persistent dry conditions and high winds over the last several days had allowed the fire to grow. Sunday morning the fire was only 10 percent contained before weather improved.
The rains and higher humidity helped the about 127 firefighters from throughout Virginia and several other states. It's unlikely further rains forecasted overnight and Monday morning would put the fire out completely, though. Firefighters anticipate they will be battling the fire for several more days and will continue to monitor and knock down hot spots, Knight said.
Virginia 56 (Tye River Road) reopened Saturday night between Vesuvius and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Trails in the southern part of St. Mary's Wilderness Area, including the St. Mary's River and Falls area remain temporarily closed.
People in the area will notice smoky conditions and smell smoke for the next several days.
For updated information, visit the website inciweb.com.