Smoky smell invades Northeast as Virginia's Matts Creek Fire smoke blows north
Southwesterly winds are carrying wildfire smoke from Virginia's Matts Creek Fire into the Northeast, creating hazy skies and some reports of a smoky smell.
How the lay of the land affects wildfire
It's not just the weather and the flames that challenge firefighters during a wildfire, but the topography can play a big role in the fire's behavior.
GLASGOW, Va. – Smoke may obscure some of the scenic views if you plan on driving Interstate 81 between the Northeast and the Southeast during the Thanksgiving travel weekend.
![View of Matts Creek Fire from the James River Face Foot Bridge from Friday afternoon. Nov. 17, 2023.]()
Image 1 of 8View of Matts Creek Fire from the James River Face Foot Bridge from Friday afternoon. Nov. 17, 2023. (Joe Mazzeo / U.S. Forest Service)
![View of Matts Creek Fire from the James River Face Foot Bridge from Friday afternoon. Nov. 17, 2023.]()
Image 2 of 8View of Matts Creek Fire from the James River Face Foot Bridge from Friday afternoon. Nov. 17, 2023. (Joe Mazzeo / U.S. Forest Service)
![The Matts Creek Fire is 4 miles southeast of Glasgow, Virginia and 5 miles northwest of Big Island, Virginia. The fire is located south of US-501 and the James River within the James River Face Wilderness on the Jefferson National Forest.]()
Image 3 of 8The Matts Creek Fire is situated 4 miles towards the southeast of Glasgow, Virginia and 5 miles towards the northwest of Big Island, Virginia. (George Washington & Jefferson National Forests)
![The Matts Creek Fire is 4 miles southeast of Glasgow, Virginia and 5 miles northwest of Big Island, Virginia. The fire is located south of US-501 and the James River within the James River Face Wilderness on the Jefferson National Forest.]()
Image 4 of 8The Matts Creek Fire is situated 4 miles towards the southeast of Glasgow, Virginia and 5 miles towards the northwest of Big Island, Virginia. (George Washington & Jefferson National Forests)
![The Matts Creek Fire is 4 miles southeast of Glasgow, Virginia and 5 miles northwest of Big Island, Virginia. The fire is located south of US-501 and the James River within the James River Face Wilderness on the Jefferson National Forest.]()
Image 5 of 8The Matts Creek Fire is situated 4 miles towards the southeast of Glasgow, Virginia and 5 miles towards the northwest of Big Island, Virginia. (George Washington & Jefferson National Forests)
![The Matts Creek Fire is 4 miles southeast of Glasgow, Virginia and 5 miles northwest of Big Island, Virginia. The fire is located south of US-501 and the James River within the James River Face Wilderness on the Jefferson National Forest.]()
Image 6 of 8The Matts Creek Fire is situated 4 miles towards the southeast of Glasgow, Virginia and 5 miles towards the northwest of Big Island, Virginia. (George Washington & Jefferson National Forests)
![The Matts Creek Fire is 4 miles southeast of Glasgow, Virginia and 5 miles northwest of Big Island, Virginia. The fire is located south of US-501 and the James River within the James River Face Wilderness on the Jefferson National Forest.]()
Image 7 of 8The Matts Creek Fire is situated 4 miles towards the southeast of Glasgow, Virginia and 5 miles towards the northwest of Big Island, Virginia. (George Washington & Jefferson National Forests)
![The Matts Creek Fire is 4 miles southeast of Glasgow, Virginia and 5 miles northwest of Big Island, Virginia. The fire is located south of US-501 and the James River within the James River Face Wilderness on the Jefferson National Forest.]()
Image 8 of 8The Matts Creek Fire is situated 4 miles towards the southeast of Glasgow, Virginia and 5 miles towards the northwest of Big Island, Virginia. (George Washington & Jefferson National Forests)
Southwesterly winds are carrying wildfire smoke from Virginia's Matts Creek Fire into the Northeast, creating hazy skies and some reports of a smoky smell.
On Saturday, the winds will shift to northwest winds with gusts up to 25 mph.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the fire is on national forest lands and no structures are threatened.
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Current Air Quality Index.
(FOX Forecast Center / FOX Weather)
The FOX Forecast Center said these fires are part of the same wildfire that shut down parts of Shenandoah National Park. However, it is unlikely that there will be any significant impact on air quality.
"While there’s not a lot we can do to make the smoke go away as long as the fire is burning, we do try to give you the best information we can about the smoke conditions," the Forest Service said. "Daily, we monitor smoke levels across the fire area using both air monitors and low-cost sensors."
THE AIR QUALITY INDEX EXPLAINED
A look at air quality alerts in the Northeast.
(FOX Weather)
Cause of Matts Creek Fire undetermined
The Matts Creek Fire was reported last Sunday. It is located about 5 miles southeast of Glasgow, Virginia, and 4 miles northwest of Big Island, Virginia, according to officials at George Washington and Jefferson national forests. The fire is on national forest and Blue Ridge Parkway lands in Bedford and Rockbridge counties.
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(FOX Weather)
More than 100 firefighters and support personnel are working to suppress the blaze, which has burned over 5,000 acres with only 2% containment as of Friday.
The cause is undetermined.