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Shenandoah Fire Contained, Scorched Over 10,000 Acres

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LURAY, Va. (AP) - Authorities say a fire that burned thousands of acres of land in Shenandoah National Park has been fully contained.

The Washington Post reports that sections of Skyline Drive that were closed due to the blaze have been reopened. Authorities have also lifted a temporary flight restriction near the park.

A portion of the Appalachian Trail and other nearby trails will stay closed so workers can ensure they're safe for hikers.

At its height, the fire stretched across more than 10,000 acres. It's one of the largest fires in the park's 80-year history.

Hundreds of firefighters and support staff from across the country assisted in battling the blaze.

Investigators have not determined what caused the fire.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.