SNP Rocky Branch Fire now extends into Rappahannock County

Shenandoah National Park (SNP) provided an update of the ongoing Rocky Branch Fire that began Wednesday and has now spread to over 1,000 acres in Page and Rappahannock counties. Firefighters from the National Park Service (NPS), Virginia Department of Forestry (VDF) continue focusing on fire control and containment. Members of the Southern Area Red Complex Incident Management Team – part of the U.S. Forest Service based out of Atlanta, Ga. – arrived onsite Saturday morning and has taken the lead command. More firefighters are expected. Personnel and equipment on the fire currently include 15 firefighters and an engine. A steady rain overnight into Saturday morning aided in that effort, officials say. SNP’s remote weather station reports 1.16-inches of rain within the past 20 hours which has slowed the fire’s spread. Skyline Drive remains closed from Thornton Gap (milepost 31.5 to Mathews Arm Campground at MP 22.1. Additionally, Byrds Nest 4 remains closed. Trails closed include the Appalachian Trail from Elkwallow to Beahms Gap, Rocky Branch, Neighbor Mountain, and Jeremys Run. Officials now have closed Hull School Trail from Skyline Drive to Thornton River Upper Trail and Thornton River Upper Trail back up to the drive. A complete fire ban also remains in effect throughout SNP.