Forest Service: Wildfire 90 percent contained

View larger image A Siskorsky 58T helicopter flies over the fire scene of the Point 2 wildfire that has been ravaging the George Washington and Jefferson forest lands on Massanutten Mountain on Friday afternoon. The helicopter was dropping off supplies, but was used earlier this week for dropping water onto the fire site. The helicopter holds a ball that releases 400 gallons of water. Rich Cooley/Daily

Daily staff report

The National Forest Service declared the Point 2 wildfire encompassing 1,194 acres in Warren and Shenandoah counties 90 percent contained Friday.

State firefighters and others from as far away as Arkansas, Connecticut, and South Carolina will face temperatures of up to 101 degrees Saturday as they continue containment efforts, the Forest Service said. Crews will be patrolling and mopping up the fire perimeter in the George Washington and Jefferson national forests, the agency said in a written statement.

The Tuscarora Trail from Shawl Gap to Panhandle Road remains closed, along with the Massanutten National Recreation Trail from Shawl Gap to Veach Gap. The Sherman Gap Trail and the Veach Gap Trail, including the Little Crease Trail Shelter, will also remain closed, the agency said.

Shenandoah National Park officials announced Friday afternoon that The Appalachian Trail between Elkwallow and Beahms Gap, and Byrd's Nest No. 4 Shelter have reopened after having been closed by the Neighborhood Mountain fire in Page County east of Luray.

Other park trails -- including Knob Mountain Cutoff, Knob Mountain, Neighbor Mountain and Jeremy's Run -- remain closed, according to park officials.