Fire Closure in Southwest VA near Bastian

[Lauriep]

UPDATE: NOW OPEN (as of 5/7)--see post below.

A 7.3-mile section of the Appalachian Trail in the George Washington-Jefferson National Forest has been closed temporarily due to fire between Suiter Rd (VA 615) north to I-77 (near Bastian, VA).

More details will be posted at www.appalachiantrail.org/updates as they become available.

Laurie Potteiger
Appalachian Trail Conservancy

[Lauriep]

The A.T. has re-opened south of Bastian in the area affected by the fire that came to be referred to as the "Brushy Fire."

Approximately 3/4 of a mile of Trail was burned, but the treadway is unaffected despite being burned over in places. Crews will likely return to the site Monday to monitor. Hikers are advised to stay on the trail and to use caution as smoke could linger in the area and trees may be weakened by the fire.