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POCAHONTAS COUNTY -- More than 25 firefighters are battling a blaze in Monongahela National Forest in Pocahontas County, officials said Tuesday.
The fire, first reported on Monday off Forest Road 947 near the intersection of Brushy Mountain Trail and Beaver Lick Road, had spread to roughly 30 acres by Tuesday morning.
Local fire departments responded to the scene Monday night to fight the fire. As of Tuesday, they were joined by staff from Monongahela National Forest, as well as staff from the Boise National Forest in Idaho, the Tonto National Forest in Arizona, the Modoc National Forest in California, and the Klamath National Forest in California and Oregon.
"You may see or smell smoke from this fire," the U.S. Forest Service posted on social media. "We have 26 personnel working the fire, or on their way to the fire, today. Please avoid this area to allow vehicles and personnel access."
Also in the Mountain State, officials announced Tuesday that the Steep Valley fire in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve had grown to more than 2,000 acres.
The U.S. Forest Service also noted that, with the current dry conditions, the public is urged to follow the fall fire laws and the general burning guidelines, which can be found at https://wvforestry.com/fire-laws/.