Shenandoah: Active Wildfire in the South District, Trails and Access Stay Open

If you're planning a trip to Shenandoah right now, here's something worth knowing: there's an active wildfire in the park. It's in the south district, near the Stull Run Trail, and it covers about 1.26 acres, barely more than an acre. So this is no massive blaze, but it's a real fire, and crews are working it right now.

Two agencies are on the scene, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and the Virginia Department of Forestry. That kind of joint response is standard for a fire like this, where the goal is to contain the flames before they can spread. For now, no park structures are under threat.

The good news for your plans is that all of the park's trails and facilities are staying open. So you can stick with your itinerary, including in the south, as long as the situation holds. Still, a few simple habits are worth keeping in mind. Keep your distance from any active work zone, follow the signs posted on the ground, and listen to the rangers, whose instructions always come before a plan you made ahead of time. If you catch a strong smell of smoke or spot emergency vehicles, don't hesitate to turn back.

An episode like this is a good reminder of something every hiker knows. Conditions can change from one hour to the next. Before you head out, check the status of the area you're aiming for, and have a backup route ready in case part of the south ends up closed. To place the Stull Run Trail, understand how the north, central, and south districts are laid out, and build a route that makes sense for the season, lean on our Shenandoah park guide, which we keep up to date.

We're following the fire as it develops and we'll update this post as soon as officials share new guidance. In the meantime, a visit is still doable, as long as you stay alert and flexible.