Fire on the mountain ... Blue Ridge blaze spreads in Augusta County south of Afton - UPDATED

Smoke from Sunday's fire could be seen behind the Target shopping center in Waynesboro.

 Smoke could also be seen from the Parkway and Howardsville Turnpike.

Valley residents could see smoke from miles away.

Fire creeps up the mountain ridge near Lyndhurst in eastern Augusta County.

A forest fire was spreading on the Blue Ridge Mountains south of Afton Mountain and I-64 on Sunday afternoon, working its way up the ridge in an area between Rt. 340 and the Blue Ridge Parkway/ Howardsville Turnpike. Heavy smoke could be seen from miles away as it drifted over Waynesboro leaving the smell of wood smoke hanging in the air. As high winds continued in the area, U.S. Forestry officials said the fire had been contained late Sunday. No word yet on how the fire began but forestry crews were reportedly on the scene.

Update Monday: Extremely strong overnight winds caused the fire to spread to hundreds of acres, according to Ken Slack with NBC-29,  and the Forestry Service now has 40+ firefighters and Hotshots on the scene. It is now believed to be more than one fire that started late Saturday night or early Sunday.

See also Winter woods have returned to Afton & Blue Ridge Parkway

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
13 November 2011