[Magdalen] Fire update

[Grace Cangialosi]

The fire burning in Shenandoah National Park has now consumed 10,000 acres and is 43% contained. It's supposed to be hot and dry for the next few days, which certainly won't help. The projected date for full containment is next Saturday.
It's just a really good thing that this is in the park and not in a populated area; they've been able to keep it back from a couple of populated hollows. 
22 miles of Skyline Drive are closed, and 17 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
I was interested to read that the Appalachian Trail Club and a number of "Trail Angels"  are providing shuttle service around the closed portion. And those who use the shuttle service will be given full credit for completing the whole hike when they get to the end!
Smoky again here today, because the wind has shifted.