05/15/2026
George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
issues fire restrictions for Appalachian Trail
(Roanoke, VA, May 11, 2026) In response to elevated fire danger, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest has instituted fire restrictions within a quarter mile of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail as it passes through the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, camp fire or stove fire is prohibited.
The restrictions are effective immediately and will be in place until rescinded by the Forest Supervisor.
Commercially available fuel stoves, such as propane camp stoves, enclosed lanterns and isobutane backpacking stoves are still permitted to be used. Visitors and hikers are reminded not to leave stoves or lanterns unattended and to make sure they are fully extinguished after using.
The Appalachian Trail crosses more than 12 miles of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area High Country, passing alongside Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia at 5,729 feet. It is a popular trail for hikers, both day hikers and those hiking the entire distance of the Appalachian Trail, called thru-hikers. The area is also home to a rare and threatened southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest, which is home to plants and animals found almost nowhere else in the world.
For more information on the U.S. Forest Service - George Washington and Jefferson National Forest and to stay informed of fire restrictions and wildfire updates visit the forest website, or page; https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/gwj?utm_source=MarketingCloud&utm_medium=email
