RICHMOND, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The Virginia Department of Forestry says one of its employees was killed while battling a forest fire in Buchanan County on Thursday.

The fire burned about 15 acres in the area of Lester’s Fork Road near the Roseann community.

Around 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Rocky S. Wood and other VDOF employees responded to the fire and he died during those efforts.

“Today our hearts are broken as we send our sincere condolences to Rocky’s family, friends and fellow colleagues during this difficult time,” said State Forester Rob Farrell.

Wood worked for VDOF for seven years, in the Western Region’s Vansant Office. He became a full-time forest technician in 2016.

Before that, he had worked as a part-time wildland firefighter with VDOF and for the Virginia Department of Corrections.

WRIC in Richmond reports Wood was also the Vice-Mayor of the town of Haysi in Dickenson County, where he was elected to the town council in 2008.

VDOF says it is working with the Virginia Department of Fire Programs and there is an investigation underway.

The fire was contained as of Friday morning.