Wildfire in Shenandoah National Park 40 percent contained

LURAY, Va. (AP) -- Officials say a wildfire that has burned thousands of acres in Shenandoah National Park is 40 percent contained.

Media outlets report that the team working to put out the fire says flame lengths have been three to four feet tall, but are now expected to remain below one foot fall unless there's strong wind.

The fire had burned about 8,000 acres of land by Friday.

John Miller, a fire chief with the Virginia Department of Forestry, tells The Washington Post that rain showers Friday provided "a breath of fresh air" for firefighters. But Miller said increasing winds forecast over the weekend are a concern.

Several trails and roads remain closed. Officials say the largest fire in the park's history scorched more than 23,000 acres in 2000.