Fire
The Riley Fire continues to be active near the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, causing park officials to keep the park closed on Tuesday, July 2. Smokejumpers, fire crews, and strong support from aerial resources have made significant progress, particularly along the fire’s southern flank.
According to firefighters on the ground, the helicopter, which uses a large bucket suspended by cables from its belly, has been especially effective. These helicopters draw water from a nearby lake and navigate through the narrow canyon to make dozens of water drops. Additionally, single-engine water scoopers, known as Fire Boss airplanes, are cooling the fire’s edges.
Meanwhile, firefighters continue working near the fire’s edge, using hoses to deliver water and cool down the fire. They have made good progress in keeping the fire away from the Denali National Park and Preserve entrance, a mile south and west of the Nenana River. They are concentrating their efforts on the southern end and the flanks while allowing the fire to burn up a hillside where it could reach a scree slope and stop its progression.
Park tour and transit bus service will remain suspended on Tuesday, July 2. All visitor facilities and park trails remain closed, and the park remains closed to private vehicles and day-use visitors. Campgrounds and backcountry units west of park headquarters remain open to visitors with existing reservations who are already at their campsites, but no additional campers are being allowed to enter the park.
The exact cause of the fire is unknown. A fire investigator will be brought in to investigate and provide more details on how the fire started. This person has not been assigned yet.
Stay informed about Alaska’s current wildfires, red flag warnings, and more by visiting https://akfireinfo.com. Additional photos and information can be found at Riley Fire Updates.
