ROANOKE COUNTY (WSLS 10) - Roanoke County Fire & Rescue crews were dispatched to a reported brush fire on Absalom Smith Road around 1:40 Saturday afternoon.
Officials say when firefighters arrived they found a brush fire burning with two nearby homes threatened by the flames. Crews from the Masons Cove, Catawba and Fort Lewis stations worked to protect the two homes from the flames and contain the brush fire to about a quarter acre.
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The homeowner was burning his garden debris when it got away from him say authorities. No severe injuries reported, although the two people were checked out by medic crews.
Fire officials are issuing the below safety message:
Current weather conditions are extremely dangerous for any outdoor burning. There is a statewide burn law in effect banning any burning before 4pm and after midnight. Additionally, Roanoke County ordinance requires a permit for any outdoor burning with the exception of a small warming or cooking fire. Although there is currently no ban on warming or cooking fires, fire officials are warning citizens that it is extremely dangerous right now because of the dry and windy conditions.