LURAY, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Shenandoah National Park has closed almost 10 miles of Skyline Drive between the Thornton Gap and the Mathews Arm campground around Page and Rappahannock counties. The park’s Allysah Fox says the Rocky Branch fire in the park near Page County started Wednesday afternoon and has burned about 450 acres while only 10% contained. No structures are immediately threatened.
Fox says Park Service firefighters are working the blaze along with the Luray Fire Department and Virginia Department of Forestry. Trail closures include the Appalachian Trail from Elkwallow to Beahms Gap, Rocky Branch, Neighbor Mountain, Jeremys Run, and Byrds Nest 4. A parkwide fire ban remains in effect.