~ Press release provided by Shenandoah National Park
LURAY, Nov. 18 — National Park Service firefighters and park cooperators are working to suppress the Bear Den Mountain Fire in Shenandoah National Park, which started late Sunday evening on November 16. Investigators are still determining the cause of the fire.
The fire covers approximately 22 acres in steep, rocky terrain and continues to smolder in timber and leaf litter. Firefighters have contained about 80 percent of the fire. No park structures are threatened by the fire.
Skyline Drive is currently closed from Rockfish Gap (mile 104.6) to Loft Mountain (mile 79.5), and the Appalachian Trail is closed from Rockfish Gap to the Turk Gap parking area (mile 94.1). Park officials plan to reopen both Skyline Drive and the Appalachian Trail at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, November 19.
“The rapid response of resources allowed us to develop a plan of action before it was safe to engage,” says Fire Management Officer Derek Casbon. “The combined efforts of the National Park Service and our cooperators are critical to ensure we contain the fire as efficiently as possible.”
The park is aided in this effort by New River Gorge National Park, Virginia Department of Forestry, and a contracted hand crew.
Park officials cancelled a prescribed burn scheduled in Big Meadows on Monday, November 17, after unfavorable conditions developed Sunday morning. A parkwide fire ban was implemented Sunday, November 16 at 8 a.m. and extended to Monday, November 17 at 8 p.m. The ban has now been lifted. Firefighters fully contained the Spring Fed Fire near Calf Mountain on Friday, November 14.
For more information about Shenandoah National Park,
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