LURAY, Va. — This story is no longer being updated on a consistent basis. Click here for our latest reporting.
A fire that sparked near Shenandoah National Park Wednesday has moved into the park boundaries.
According to the National Park Service, the Rocky Branch fire has grown to cover about 3,400 acres across Page County, including a portion of Shenandoah National Park, as of Friday morning. It remains 10% contained.
The National Park Service says parts of the park are closed while crews work to get the fire under control:
- Skyline Drive is closed from Thornton Gap (mile 31.5) to Mathews Arm (mile 22.1) because of smoke/proximity to the fire.
- Additionally, several trails are currently closed including Jeremy's Run Trail and the Appalachian Trail from Mathews Arm to Beahms Gap.
- Byrds Nest 4 Shelter is also closed.
A portion of Shenandoah National Park is in Page County, which was placed under a local emergency declaration for hazardous fire weather conditions, a large number of brush and wood fires led to several communities in the county being asked to evacuate. About 10-20 structures were destroyed in communities outside the park.
Thermal imaging data made available through NASA’s Earth Data portal shows potential hotspots began appearing Tuesday. By Wednesday, more than 100 potential ongoing fires were being detected in Shenandoah National Park alone.
As a result of the fires, Luray High School is being used as a designated evacuation shelter for the Red Cross. Page County Public Schools decided to close all schools and offices on Friday.
Firefighters are continuing suppression activities and establishing a fire line. Carly Adams with Shenandoah National Park said 12 firefighters with the National Park Service are working to bring the fire under control, along with the Luray Fire Department and Virginia Department of Forestry. More NPS firefighters are on the way, according to Adams.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Adams says a full fire ban remains in effect for the entirety of the national park.
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