AUGUSTA COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — Firefighters are continuing to fight the Big Levels Fire in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest which is now approximately 600 acres.

In a social media post, the U.S. Forest Service says that firefighters helped bring the fire to containment lines near privately owned land and they are continuing to secure the fire in that area.

The National Weather Service has issued a fire danger statement for Sunday due to dry conditions and predicted gusty winds. Active fire behavior is expected all day and fire spread will continue on National Forest System lands, particularly in areas where winds align with terrain.

Approximately 30 personnel, 2 engines and a helicopter are assigned to the fire. Additional resources are arriving today. The U.S. Forest service asks the public to avoid the fire area for your safety and to give fire personnel room to address the situation. Residents will continue to see smoke for the next several days as firefighters work to contain the fire.

A new 7-acre fire was detected on national forest lands in the Irish Creek area of Rockbridge County yesterday. Resources were able to construct containment lines around the fire to secure it and will continue mop-op operations today on the Irish Creek Fire.

For further information refer to the GWJNF website, follow and follow them on Facebook or contact the Glenwood and Pedlar Ranger District at 540-291-2188.

Closures: The following areas are temporarily closed to all public use due to the Big Levels Fire to allow for public and firefighter safety:

Cold Springs Trail (FT# 524), Cellar Mountain Trail (FT#587), Bald Mountain Jeep Trail (FSR#162), Bald Mountain Spur Road (FSR#162A), Saint Mary’s Trail (FT#500), Saint Mary’s Gorge Trail (FT#500B). The national forest system lands north of the Saint Mary’s Trail (#500) and within the area bounded by the Bald Mountain Jeep Trail (FSR#162) and the Coal Road (FSR#42) are also CLOSED.