Courtesy of Vestavia Hills Fire Department
Updated at 4:55 p.m.
Multiple fire crews were continuing to work and monitor a brush fire off of Rocky Ridge Road and U.S. 280.
The fire started around 1:30 p.m., and Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook and Rocky Ridge fire crews were working throughout the afternoon to keep the flames from reaching a near-by Mountain Brook neighborhood.
As of about 4:45 p.m., crews had left the scene and the road was open, but the Vestavia Hills Fire Department warned motorists that winds could cause smoke for a while.
Leutinent Ryan Farrell of VHFD said the terrain where the fire was located made fighting the blaze difficult, and that it was ahead of firefighters for a while after they arrived.
Mountain Brook Fire Marshal Leland Rhudy said that as of 4:15, the fire was still contained and being worked on, with crews primarily focusing on keeping the flames from reigniting and on checking to make sure residents were safe.
Rhudy said that there was still a significant amount of personnel and equipment in the area, and encouraged motorists to avoid Rocky Ridge Road if at all possible.
Those traveling westbound on U.S. 280 should also expect some delays as traffic picks up.
"Just be aware of that right now," Rhudy said.
As of Monday, the Alabama Forestry Commission has reported over 1,600 brush fires and wildfires, and the entire state remains under a burn ban. For information about what is allowed under the ban, visit the commission's website.
Area fire departments are also urging citizens to avoid anything that might accidentally start a fire, such as discarded cigarettes and parking cars with hot catalytic converters on dry grass.
