Controlled burn likely cause for smoke

The smoke wafting through Charlottesville this afternoon was created by a controlled burn near North Garden, state forestry officials suspect.

About 60 acres on Route 712 were being burned, said John W. Campbell Jr., Virginia Department of Forestry spokesman.

“I would assume that probably would be a cause,“ he said.

The burn is being conducted by a private company, Campbell said. Such burns are often used to remove underbrush, helping tree growth with an eye to logging.