Fire in Shenandoah National Park

[Skyline]

A fire broke out yesterday in the North District of Shenandoah National Park, on Neighbor Mt. What was 15 acres last night has grown to nearly 200 acres already today. A news report on local TV can be seen at: http://www.whsv.com/community/headli...160593375.html


The Neighbor Mt. Trail, which is closed, intersects the AT about 0.4 mi. south of the connector to the Neighbor Mt. parking area on Skyline Drive. No word yet in the media about whether this fire will cause an AT closure. Conditions are very dry, with temps expected the next few days in the high 90s with wind.

[Kingbee]

grrr, I'm planning on hiking Thornton Gap to 522 monday and tuesday. Crossing my fingers.

[Lauriep]

ATC just received the following message from the superintendent of Shenandoah National Park. We have no additional details at this time.

"The recon. flight determined that the A.T. needs to be closed today. Personnel are in the process of posting signs along the trail. A.T. hikers
will be rerouted along the Skyline Drive."

Laurie Potteiger
ATC

[The Tank]

I was at the summit of Mary's Rock off the AT this past Tuesday night, around 11pm-12am. We kept smelling smoke, and saw massive amounts of smoke in the valley facing North and West. Thanks for posting the news story, I would have forgot to look it up!

[Skyline]

I was at the summit of Mary's Rock off the AT this past Tuesday night, around 11pm-12am. We kept smelling smoke, and saw massive amounts of smoke in the valley facing North and West. Thanks for posting the news story, I would have forgot to look it up!

I've enjoyed Marys Rock (and Hawksbill Summit) many times during a night hike. Awesome!

With all the huge fires out west, I'll bet it's going to be tough to get a major crew to SNP if this thing gets much further out of control. Conditions are such that it might.

BTW there's also a fire somewhere in the Massanutten Mt. range across the valley, I'm told. No details yet.

[Cookerhiker]

It's not just the AT - from the MD Outdoor Club's FB page.

More info from SNP about the fire: As of 6 p.m. last night, the Neighbor Mountain Fire, which was likely caused by lightning, was 200 acres. Additional trail closures have been implemented.

The following trails are now closed: the Appalachian Trail between Elkwallow and Beahms Gap, Neighbor Mountain, Knob Mountain, Knob Mountain Cutoff, Jeremys Run. Also Jeremys Run Overlook and Byrds Nest #4 (shelter) are also closed.

[Pumba]

I'm glad I changed my plans to hike through SNP starting this Sunday.

[Skyline]

An SNP spokesperson said there are now 50 firefighters on the scene. Local restaurants in Luray have been pressed into service to supply take-out meals to these crew members and others that may be on the way.

http://www.whsv.com/home/headlines/U...160736395.html

Meanwhile, the fire across the Page Valley in GWNF's Massanutten region is getting close to 200 acres itself. It's in the Veach Gap area of the northern part of Massanutten. Several trails have been closed, including part of the Tuscarora Trail. There are some residences not far away (outside GWNF) and Little Crease Shelter on the TT that could be impacted if this gets too far out of control.

UPDATE, VIA PATC 6/29 IN SEPARATE THREAD.

http://www.whsv.com/home/headlines/F...160524005.html

A second fire has been confirmed in SNP near Skinner Ridge, west of the Buck Hollow Trail in the Park's Central District (not far from Thornton Gap). No additional information regarding this second fire is currently available, according to PATC's website.

[Louise Morrow]

Thanks for sharing.

[shelb]

Wow.... We hiked SNP last year, and I remember one section that was burnt out. It will be a shame to have more area burnt out. Hopefully, no one gets injured.

[Cookerhiker]

Hate to see this. Jeremy's Run Trail is one of my favorites, especially for Spring hiking in SNP.

[barrettrking]

Just spent a week in Shenandoah and watched the fire get bigger and bigger. Here's hoping they can get it under control soon. As of today still not contained.

[Wise Old Owl]

.................

[Lion King]

If the hot ass summer wasnt a good enough reason to Aqua blaze, that right there is a perfect one

[Cookerhiker]

If the hot ass summer wasnt a good enough reason to Aqua blaze, that right there is a perfect one

A very appealing idea, but.....

I strongly suggest ascertaining the river conditions first. You don't want to end up getting out of the canoe every 100 yards to drag it over the low water spots of which I'm sure there are plenty with the drought.

2 years ago, my daughter and I planned a mid-July canoe trip on the Shenandoah. It was only able to occur because of a steady rain 2 days before which was sufficient to replenish the river.

http://www.downriver.com/

[GoldenBear]

http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com...ntainment10161

1115 acres as of Sunday, July 1 -- and “no estimated date of containment.”

Note that there are two fires in the area: the Neighbor Mountain Fire in SNP, and the Point 2 Fire in nearby George Washington National Forest
http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/U...5.html?ref=795
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gwj/ne...TELPRDB5376310

[barrettrking]

The latest from National Parks Traveler. There's definitely some progress. It's an interesting situation given how close the park boundary is to civilization in Shenandoah.