4:50 p.m.
Barbara Walker with the U.S. Forest Service says the Pickle Branch Fire in Craig and Roanoke Counties is now 100% contained.
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The U.S. Forest Service says the wildfire burning on National Forest land in Craig County and Roanoke County, is expected to be fully contained this evening.
Barbara Walker, with the Forest Service, says as of 11:30 a.m. this morning (Tuesday), the fire is 85% contained, and complete containment is predicted by 6:00 p.m. Walker adds that the light rain that fell overnight has helped crews.
Walker tells us the fire is estimated to be 665 acres in size, down from the 700 acre estimate on Monday.
About 46 wildland firefighters are working to control and contain the fire. Fire crews plan to search for hot spots, and extinguish them.
Route 620 (Pickle Branch Rd./Miller Cove Rd.) is still closed from Rt. 621 (Craig Creek Rd.), to its intersection with Rt. 701 (Bending Oak Rd.). The Appalachia Trail is closed from Rt. 621 to the Dragons Tooth parking area.
Homes in the fire area are now considered at "low risk," but firefighters plan to keep monitoring them.
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