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Shenandoah National Park Wildfire 90 Percent Contained, Rains Helping Out

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Published Date

April 28, 2016

Rainy, humid weather has greatly helped knock down the Rocky MTN Fire in Shenandoah National Park, where crews have managed to contain roughly 90 percent of the fire that has burned nearly 10,400 acres.

While this week started with dry, warm weather, "Over the past 24 hours the southern half of the fire received over an inch of rain and the northern half one-quarter to one-half of an inch of rain," the morning fire briefing said Thursday. "All containment lines of the fire were inactive with very little fire activity yesterday."

Still, a short section of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail remained closed from Doyles River Overlook, mile 82, to Powell Gap, milepost 70. A stretch of the Skyline Drive also was closed, from Swift Run Gap, mile 65.5, to Black Rock Gap, mile 87.5.

Foggy conditions Thursday morning kept firefighters off the fire; instead they were rehabbing equipment and buildings they used and discussing "lessons learned."

The fire started on April 16. Officials believe it was human caused, but have not yet identified the key factor.

 

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