AUGUSTA COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — The U.S. Forest Service is undertaking a spring prescribed burn today in Augusta County near the Coal Road or Forest Service Road Number 42.

The burn will treat 467 acres near the Mills Creek area of the Coal Road, and during operations, Turkey Pen Ridge Road and Mills Creek Trail will be closed.

Depending on wind direction, residents and travelers on Mount Torry Road in the Sherando community may see or smell smoke.

The Forest Service said in the announcement that safety is their top priority, and fire managers conduct prescribed burns to improve wildlife habitat by restoring open woodlands and grassland conditions on the forest landscape.