Wildfire burns 25 acres so far

Published 8:16 pm Friday, May 11, 2018

Suffolk Fire & Rescue and the Virginia Department of Forestry spent Friday evening fighting a wildfire off Holland Road.

The fire was reported by a pilot who contacted the Federal Aviation Administration, who then reported it to Suffolk dispatchers at 4:25 p.m., according to a city press release.

Skydive Suffolk assisted with pinpointing the exact location due to the dense woods in the area of the 3600 block of Holland Road, the press release stated.

Email newsletter signup

About 25 acres had burned by 8 p.m. The Virginia Department of Forestry was on scene with two plows to cut lines around the fire. There had been no injuries so far.

Suffolk Fire & Rescue’s COMMS/Drone Team is on scene for aerial photography to help in coordinate efforts, the release stated.

The cause of the fire is believed to be a lightning strike following heavy thunderstorms that came through Thursday evening.

The Suffolk Police Department was providing traffic control in the area, with one westbound lane in the 3600 block of Holland Road closed for the staging of emergency response vehicles.