Wild Fires

[wnderer]

http://wcrnews.wordpress.com/2011/02/19/firefighters-from-across-the-country-headed-to-shenandoah-national-park/



FRONT ROYAL — 125 firefighters from Virginia and across the United States are headed to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive to battle a wildfire that has consumed between 800 and 1,000 acres thus far, according to an official with the Warren County, Va. Fire & Rescue Department.
There are currently two large active fires in the area made worse by strong winds throughout the Commonwealth.

[LordoftheWings]

Doesn't sound that big to me. Depending on conditions and resources they could have that out in a day. Sometimes they choose to let it burn as a Prescribed burn and just place defense at structures and roadways ect.

[Slo-go'en]

Humm, they had a big ice storm there a few years ago which brought down a lot of trees and limbs. No doubt that's what's burning now.

[restless]

Right now, Skyline Drive from Front Royal to Thorton Gap is closed. Also, this from the SNP website;


Fire in North District causes Skyline Drive and Trail Closures

Due to the Shop Run Fire in the North District of Shenandoah the Skyline Drive between Front Royal and Rt. 211 is closed. The following trail closures are in effect until further notice: Mt. Marshall Trail from Skyline Drive to the intersection at the Bluff Trail; Appalachian Trail between Compton Gap and the Browntown Trail; Lands Run Gap Fireroad; and the Jenkins Gap Trail.

i'm monitoring Park radio and will let you know if anything changes.

[LoneRidgeRunner]

Doesn't sound that big to me. Depending on conditions and resources they could have that out in a day. Sometimes they choose to let it burn as a Prescribed burn and just place defense at structures and roadways ect.

Any wildfire destroying the forests is too big even if it's only an acre.

[Blissful]

Fire is awful but it is also good for the forest too. Clears out the forest floor. I just hiked in a part that burned near Old Rag a few years back. It has come back very nicely. Problem is there is so much downed wood that its a huge fire waiting to happen in the park.

[earlyriser26]

I hiked from Hogback to front royal on saturday. 50 mph winds. Any small fire got out of control fast.

[d.o.c]

mabe itll give up a few more morel patchs

[chiefiepoo]

Humm, they had a big ice storm there a few years ago which brought down a lot of trees and limbs. No doubt that's what's burning now.
A good observation about the ice storms. Somewhere around 06 or 07 there were a few that dropped a lot of fuel on the forest floor in SNP and along the Skyline Dr. Add to that the dead wood from insects and drought stress and it is just a matter of time. Wondering what the ignition source was to have so many fires break out in the last 48 hrs.

[mweinstone]

kyw news radio here in philadelphia is reporting hourly on the fires. as of one minute ago, they report there arent enough fire teams to fight the number of fires and that the fires are out of control. be safe jim.

[jmhouse]

more info: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2150/

[restless]

Good news..we are receiving some rain now. I suspect that this will moisten things up a bit and dampen the spirits of any fire.

[Kermitt]

I was planing to hike from Swift Gap strating the last week of March, would it be best to wait to the frist or second week of April?

[Trail Bug]

http://wcrnews.wordpress.com/2011/02/19/firefighters-from-across-the-country-headed-to-shenandoah-national-park/

Hiked from Ashby Gap down to Front Royal this past weekend. Winds were bad Saturday. The woods were heavy with smoke and we could hear the fire engine. Glad we did not see any actual fire.

[Blissful]

I was planing to hike from Swift Gap strating the last week of March, would it be best to wait to the frist or second week of April?


Oh the fire will be out way before then! :)

[C Seeker]

I have good and bad news about the forest fires...
Bad- burned up 2,000 acres into the park past the AT and started down the other side. Also between Harmony Hollow trailhead and 4H center trail there was a 1acre fire (on the trail.) On top of those to fire there was one Blue mountain Linden area (I don't think it hit the trail though) that was 75 acres and 2 houses. All 3 fires in one day.

GOOD NEWS! The forest are still attached, only the underbrush got hit. In my eyes less thorns for me. Also all the fires are out (SNP one may be out or controlled)

Why was there a fire? well SNP was started out of the parks boundry at a private house. There outside furnaces exploded. As for the small fire that one is undergoing investigation. For the Linden fire they never said.

All infomation came from my friend who was fighting the SNP fire and a 911 dispatch officer. Gotta love knowing people.

[Blissful]

Thanks C Seeker. :)

[jerseydave]

http://usparks.about.com/b/2011/02/25/fire-shenandoah-national-park.htm

[wnderer]

A week later and the fire is still not out.

http://www.nps.gov/shen/parknews/newsreleases.htm

[wnderer]

And it's over.


February 27, 2011
Closures lifted in Shenandoah National Park (http://www.nps.gov/shen/parknews/closures-lifted-in-shenandoah-national-park.htm)
The Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park from Front Royal to Route 211 has reopened after the week-long closure due to the Smith Run Fire. The 105-mile scenic roadway through the park is now open its entire length. All trails previously closed due to the fire are also open. :banana

[Pedaling Fool]

Yes the park and trails are open, but it appears that the fire continues to burn to the northeast of the park and south of Front Royal http://www.inciweb.org/ But it is contained.