PARK ALERT: FIRE UPDATE The National Park Service is pleased to announce that the nearly week old Fern Creek Fire is now 100% contained and 100% controlled. Firefighters spent the day Saturday examining the fire area, they were unable to find any heat and/or smoke around the fire perimeter. There is still smoldering material within the interior of the burn but it poses no threat to containment lines. As an added precaution, the fire will continue to be monitored but will not be officially declared out until the affected area receives more rainfall. The seven day weather outlook calls for up to two inches of precipitation, therefore, the declaration could come towards the end of the coming week. The Endless Wall Trail and associated climbing areas that were temporarily closed during the Fern Creek Fire to allow for public safety from the fire and hazards associated with emergency fire suppression activity are now open. Visitors are reminded to be safe and use situational awareness when hiking and climbing in the area, especially below the cliff line from Diamond Point, downstream to Fern Creek. New River Gorge National River and the Fern Creek Incident Management Team would like to thank all of the area fire departments, local resources and national resources to who contributed to the successful fire suppression efforts. They would also like to thank the community for their contributions, cooperation, and support.
Posted on: Sun, 27 Apr 2014 14:09:18 +0000