VDOT: Burning vehicle ignites Afton Mountain fire, I-64 traffic delays reported
AFTON — A vehicle fire Thursday on Interstate 64 ignited a brush fire at mile marker 100 on the slope of Afton Mountain in Nelson County, according to authorities, causing traffic delays.
Career and volunteer fire units from Albemarle County Fire Rescue responded to the scene within nine minutes. "The vehicle fire extended to a brush fire up the nearby mountain," the agency said in a press release.
Motorists can expect delays, and traffic backups were approximately four miles long at 3 p.m. The west right lane and right shoulder were closed but are now open, according to the release.
The Augusta County Sheriff's Office is asking motorists to avoid U.S. 250 crossing Afton Mountain, and said to use I-64. The sheriff's office said U.S. 250 is closed from Waynesboro through Augusta County to Va. 151 in Nelson County.
The Blue Ridge Parkway entrance in Augusta County has been closed.
The fire is still being contained with the Forestry and National Park services dispatching crews to the location.
The Virginia Department of Transportation said congestion and delays are also being reported at exit 107 to Crozet due to vehicles exiting the interstate.
Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter).
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Burning vehicle ignites Afton Mountain fire, I-64 impacted
