Wildfires Rage Through Over 1,500 Acres In New River Gorge National Park

The Steep Valley Fire, a backcountry brush fire, is currently burning in West Virginia's New River Gorge National Park. One of America's newest national parks, it's truly a treasure. The New River is actually one of the oldest rivers in North America and the park offers many opportunities to enjoy it, including whitewater rafting. It's a special place for so many reasons, but over 1,500 acres of the picturesque park have been burned in the last few days. Below are the most recent updates on the New River Gorge wildfires.

New River Gorge National Park spans some 70,000 acres, over 1,500 acres of which are currently or were recently engulfed in flames.

A brush fire has been burning since Monday and as of the most recent update, it was only 11% contained.

The fire is still burning along steep, rugged terrain in the War Ridge and Backus Mountain areas.

Fire crews from several states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Hampshire, and Michigan, traveled to the area to control the burn.

There is an abundance of smoke that may last for days, along with trail and campground closures. While parts of the park remain open, visitation is not encouraged at this time.

The cause of the fire is not known, but a promising weather forecast gives hope that the fire will be fully contained within 24-72 hours.

For those who have not yet visited the park, it is a unique destination, home to the abandoned ghost town of Thurmond, a jaw-dropping bridge walk, an abundance of ranger-led activities, miles of hiking trails, spectacular overlooks, and hidden historic sites.

With the hard work of many local and regional fire departments, along with national park rangers, New River Gorge National Park should be fully open to visitors again soon. We absolutely recommend visiting during the spring, summer, and fall when foliage is at its peak! You can learn more about the park here.