LOUSISA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A local state of emergency has been declared in Louisa County as a large fire continues to burn in the area — forcing some residents from their homes.
An active wildfire, which began Wednesday afternoon, sent smoke billowing into the sky and dozens of residents of the areas around West Old Mountain Road, Shannon Hill Road, Yanceyville Road and Vigor Road to a shelter behind Louisa Middle School on Davis Highway.
“I was just in my room, somebody knocked on my door and said ‘There’s a fire, we have to evacuate,’” said Louisa resident Keenan Dakota.
According to the Virginia Department of Forestry’s Wildfire Map, the affected area was 40 acres in size and 0% contained as of 10 p.m. Wednesday, around five hours after the State of Emergency was declared in the county.
“You could just see the flames getting bigger and bigger. So I turned and went down one of the back roads and you can actually see the flames above the treetops,” said Louisa resident Kathryn Anderson.
Residents and their pets were shuttled by school buses to the shelter, Louisa County Public Schools Superintendent Doug Straley said around 20 evacuees had arrived by 9 p.m. and that they’re ready to keep taking in more throughout the night.
