News
By Abby Curran
|
November 3, 2000
Forest fires continued to scorch Shenandoah National Park yesterday, as the second longest dry spell in Charlottesville's recorded history drags on.
Park officials said it is not known when the flames will burn out, but the dangerously dry conditions prolonging the fires are expected to persist throughout the weekend.
The dry leaves on the forest floor are making it more difficult to control the fires, said Jerry Stenger, research coordinator for the State Climatology Office.
Stenger noted that in the past month the area received only .1 inches of rain, the most meager amount since December 1896.
Two different Shenandoah mountains are blazing - Old Rag and The Pinnacles, which are located to the north in Luray, Va.