GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — A popular hiking trail within the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in Fayette County has reopened as crews continue to battle flames near Bearuty Mountain.
Fire lines held steady as winds died down Friday.
The National Park Service told MetroNews fire activity was much lower in recent days.
The fire has burned 132 acres since Monday. It is 50 percent contained.
A NPS spokesperson told MetroNews, “We were able to walk the boundaries yesterday and get better GPS data and now calculate the total acreage as 132.”
A 10 person module from Pennsylvania arrived Thursday night and worked with crews on the ground Friday. Two firefighters with the U.S. Forest Service also assisted. About 30 firefighters total are working the fire line.
NPS said the goal is to continue monitoring the fire line and tend to hot spots.
Park officials said hikers planning to head to the Endless Wall Tail should be aware of the possibility of smoky conditions. The climbing access ladders off of the trail remain closed.
All other previous closures are still in affect.