via Facebook

via Facebook

This post has been edited to reflect the most recently reported amount of land affected by the fire.

A wildfire that erupted in the south district of Shenandoah National Park on Saturday is still ablaze. The park announced this morning on its Facebook page that more than a dozen trails are closed until further notice due to the incident that’s being dubbed the “Rocky Mount Fire.”

The park is located in Luray, Va., about 85 miles west of the District. The fire was reported around 1 p.m. on Saturday, covering 200 acres. By this morning, the fire had spread to 5,600 acres. Currently, 200 personnel and two helicopters are working to contain the flames, plus additional firefighters and equipment are en route. Crews are confident that the fire will hold at Beldor Hollow Road, according to a park spokesperson.

While the cause of the fire is under investigation, park officials expect that it’s likely human caused.

The National Weather Service covering Blacksburg, Va. released a video this morning that shows the fire’s visibility through satellite.

And yesterday morning, a reporter from WHSV in Harrisonburg, Va. posted a closer shot on Twitter.

The park remains open along with all major highways and visitor facilities in the park and surrounding communities. Officials are posting further information via an online incident information system.

The following trails are currently closed due to the fire (additional trails are also closed as part of a search effort for a missing person):

  • Appalachian Trail is closed from Doyles River Overlook (mile 82) to Powell Gap (mile 70)

  • Rocky Mount Trail

  • Gap Run Trail

  • Onemile Run Trail

  • Brown Mountain Trail

  • Big Run Portal Trail

  • Rocky Mountain Run Trail

  • Rockytop Trail

  • Big Run Loop

  • Austin Mountain Trail

  • Lewis Peak Trail

  • Patterson Ridge Trail

  • Madison Run Spur

  • Madison Run Fire Road
Filed Under: rocky mount fire, Shenandoah National Park, wildfire,