Wildfires Bring Haze, Smoke To Fredericksburg Area But No Threat

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Residents in the Fredericksburg area might notice increased smoke and haze on Thursday, local authorities said. Officials noted that the smoke is from wildfires in Madison and Patrick Counties, but there is no threat to local residents.

In Spotsylvania County, the emergency management department urged residents to avoid calling about the smoke.

"We are aware of the community's concerns over the haze of smoke in our County. This is due to wildfires outside of our area," the department said on Facebook. "We encourage our citizens to be aware and vigilant, please only call to report if you see flames or know the source of the smoke."

Officials with Stafford County Fire and Rescue shared a similar sentiment on Thursday.

"You may have noticed a haze of smoke in the area. The smoke is from wildfires in Madison and Patrick Counties to our west and southwest," authorities wrote on Facebook. "These fires do not pose a threat to Stafford County."

On Thursday afternoon, parts of Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Fredericksburg reported "moderate" air quality, according to the U.S. Air Quality Index.

"Unusually sensitive people [should] reduce outdoor activity. Go indoors if you have symptoms," Airnow.gov recommends. For anyone who isn't sensitive to air quality changes, it should be okay to open windows or spend time outside.

One of the fires is located in Bedford County on National Forest Lands. The Matts Creek Fire encompasses 2,750 acres and is 2 percent contained, the Forest Service said on Thursday.