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Trail Wise!
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Post by null on Apr 20, 2016 5:05:15 GMT -8
Does anyone know where I can monitor the latest trail closures of the AT in Shenandoah? I have haphazardly found info in various articles but since I'll be hiking Northbound from Waynesboro on May 8th, up-to-the-minute status would be very useful.
Thanks,
Steve
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Post by rwtb123 on Apr 20, 2016 10:32:55 GMT -8
Well,I know for a fact the SNP rangers have a nose for smoke/fire and are not shy in fining those violating the regulations,so figured the official website is the place to look.I wasn't even aware of the fire, but it looks like many of the remote network of trails in the southern district are affected, plus a small section of the AT in that area, plus a larger section of the Skyline Drive. Also, several of the more popular trails in the central district are currently closed due to various work/search issues. Most current info on the fire and various trail closures: www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/alerts.htmETA: And,most up to date info from the government InciWeb and park Facebook/Twitter feeds. inciweb.nwcg.gov/www.facebook.com/shenandoahnpstwitter.com/shenandoahnpsA female missing and a suspicious human caused fire.Sounds like the most excitement since the 90s when the two females were killed in the backcountry,in a still technically unsolved case. Not too long after the 90s incident, I had a fire at the Blackrock hut fire pit and was approached and questioned by a ranger with a drawn gun.When I explained how I had entered the park and started to go into more detail(as I just assumed no one knew that route),he said he knew where that was and calmed down. |
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2016 19:07:02 GMT -8
After a week of almost solid rain, the fires are out now, but the damage is extensive. All trails in the area are reopened. It's a real shame, that area has the most remote trails in SNP, and was a great place to really get some solitude. A pretty and very rugged area. It'll be interesting to see it grow back, but not very pleasant at the moment.
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Trail Wise!
Posts: 578
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Post by null on May 15, 2016 5:47:50 GMT -8
If there's a silver lining, it might be nice to regain some of the views and make the area less tunnel-like.
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Post by rwtb123 on May 15, 2016 7:24:39 GMT -8
From the superintendent of the SNP(very little tree mortality or damage to wildlife and overall beneficial to forest health in the area) "While the Park did not ignite, nor wish for this fire under these very dry and windy conditions, natural resource managers feel that overall, the fire will be beneficial to forest health in this part of the Park, which is classified as a Fire Ecology Zone, with several fire dependent species. Having not burned for over 85 years, (in an area where low intensity ground fires should naturally occur every 3-9 years) the Rocky Mount area of the Park has had an unnaturally high level of fuel accumulation (leaves, pine needle litter, branches and fallen trees) and was destined to burn at some point. As a result of the fire, organic material and other nutrients have been recycled into the soil, which will stimulate new plant growth. Burning primarily leaves and dead and down material, the fire will result in very little tree mortality, and very little negative impact on wildlife species, which have evolved in the presence of fire over thousands of years. The fire will be particularly beneficial for several plant species including native grasses and wildflowers, oak and pine communities. Wildlife, including white-tailed deer, black bear, songbirds and many other species will benefit from the acorns, blueberries and other seeds, produced by plants rejuvenated by fire. Because the fire has been burning in designated Wilderness, we have also been using “minimum impact suppression tactics” to minimize the damage from suppression activities and all fire lines will be rehabilitated after the fire is out." piedmontvirginian.com/2016/04/shenandoah-national-park-fire-burns-over-10000-acres/ |
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