Trail Updates

04/17/2026

Update: Elevated fire risk continues to be a concern for the A.T. from Georgia through Pennsylvania. Burn bans are in effect for the A.T. in Georgia, North Caroline, the Triple Crown area of Virginia, and Shenandoah National Park.  Hikers should continue to not have campfires and be extremely careful when using camp stoves. Areas with damage from Hurricane Helene are at a heightened risk of wildfire due to all the trees that were blown over in the storm (these make the perfect fuel for fires to spread quickly and burn hot). Learn more about wildfire safety here. Visit weather.gov for the latest forecast.

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04/13/2026

The National Weather Service has issued special weather statements regarding the elevated fire risk for areas along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) from Tennessee through central Pennsylvania, and a red flag warning for the A.T. in Georgia. A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are occurring, which are generally a combination of low humidity, warm temperatures, and strong winds.

These warnings are in place for most of the effected counties into this evening. However, fire weather conditions may continue for the rest of the week in some areas.

There have already been several wildfires near the A.T. in Georgia and North Carolina, and there's a wildfire burning along the Trail in Pennsylvania. Both Pennsylvania and Virginia have seasonal burn bans in place.

Hikers should not have campfires and be extremely careful when using camp stoves. Areas with damage from Hurricane Helene are at a heightened risk of wildfire due to all the trees that were blown over in the storm (these make the perfect fuel for fires to spread quickly and burn hot). Learn more about wildfire safety here. Visit weather.gov for the latest forecast.