Denali National Park & Preserve, AK
Bear Creek Lake
Wildfire Started on or about 06/22/2013
Status as of 08/02/2013
Cause Natural
Location The fire is located fifteen miles northwest of Kantishna and three miles west of Moose Creek. (AK)
Acreage Treated
1,954 acres
Estimated Containment Date weather or season ending event
Park Status
The park is open. There are no closures or restrictions due to fire.
Updates on Fire
NPS fire staff completed an aerial surveillance August 1 and reported the fire’s southern tip was backing and creeping. The remainder of the fire was quiet.
Overview
Two lightning-ignited wildfires were reported north of Kantishna in Denali National Park and Preserve on Saturday, June 22. The Bear Creek Fire is burning in an area that burned in 1993.
Strategy
Fire managers will allow the fire to take its natural course for the health of the forest.
Vegetation Affected Black spruce/boreal mixed woods
Air / Smoke Issues
Where there is fire, there is smoke. Due to the current and expected statewide fire activity, anticipate varying levels of smoke. Keep informed of local fire information and air quality reports. Wildfire smoke information is available at http://dec.alaska.gov/AIR/smokemain.htm
Benefits of the Burn
Fires are a naturally occurring event in the boreal forest. They clean up the forest floor, rejuvenate soils and create rich habitat for wildlife. They also burn in a mosaic like pattern and in so doing reduce the intensity and danger of future fires throughout the area.
Values to be Protected
No values (structures, natural or cultural sites) are threatened at this time. Action will be taken if the fire threatens structures, natural or cultural sites.
Partners Involved
Alaska Fire Service
Additional Information Visit the Incident Website
Contact Information
Kris Fister
907.683.9583
kris_fister@nps.gov
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Beaver Log Lakes Wildfire
Wildfire Started on or about 06/22/2013
Status as of 08/02/2013
Status Cause Natural
Location 7 miles northeast of Lake Minchumina (AK)
Acreage Treated
64,443 acres
Estimated Containment Date weather or season ending event
Park Status
The park is open. There are no closures or restrictions due to the fire.
Updates on Fire
July 31 staff flew the fire and observed creeping, smoldering and some interior smokes. The fire remains east of the creek on the north shore of Lake Minchumina.
Overview
The Beaver Log Lakes Fire was ignited on June 22 and has recently burned into Denali NP&P from the northeast.
Strategy
Fire managers will allow the fire to take its natural course for the health of the forest. The fire will be monitored by mapping it from the air and documenting fire behavior. Action will be taken if the fire threatens structures, natural or cultural sites.
Vegetation Affected Black spruce/boreal mixed woods
Air / Smoke Issues
Where there is fire, there is smoke. Due to the current and expected statewide fire activity, park visitors should anticipate the possibility of varying levels of smoke in the park. Wildfire smoke information is available at http://dec.alaska.gov/air/smokemain.htm.
Benefits of the Burn
Fires are a naturally occurring event in the boreal forest. They clean up the forest floor, rejuvenate soils and create rich habitat for wildlife. They also burn in a mosaic like pattern and in so doing reduce the intensity and danger of future fires throughout the area.
Values to be Protected
No values (structures, natural or cultural sites) are threatened at this time. Action will be taken if the fire threatens structures, natural or cultural sites.
Partners Involved
Alaska Fire Service
Contact Information
Kris Fister
907.683.9583
kris_fister@nps.gov
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Castle Rocks Fire
Wildfire Started on or about 07/06/2013
Status as of 08/02/2013
Status Cause Natural
Location The Castle Rocks Fire is 38 miles west of Wonder Lake (AK)
Acreage Treated
818 acres
Estimated Containment Date weather or season ending event
Park Status
The park is open. There are no closures or restrictions due to the fire.
Updates on Fire
NPS fire staff flew the fire August 1 and observed the fire grew one mile to the south and southwest.
Overview
The fire was reported on July 6, it could have been a few days old at the time of discovery.
Strategy
Fire managers will allow the fire to take its natural course for the health of the forest. The fire will be monitored by mapping it from the air and documenting fire behavior.
Vegetation Affected Black spruce/boreal mixed woods
Air / Smoke Issues
Fire and smoke are often part of Alaskan summers and park visitors and local residents can anticipate varying levels of wildfire smoke due to current and expected fire activity. Generally, worse conditions occur overnight and during the early morning hours, as the atmosphere cools and brings smoke to the surface. During the day, surface heating will mix smoke and carry it upwards, temporarily improving air quality. For the latest information on wildfire smoke and air quality in your area, check the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Air Quality website at http://dec.alaska.gov/AIR/smokemain.htm
Benefits of the Burn
Fires are a naturally occurring event in the boreal forest. They clean up the forest floor, rejuvenate soils and create rich habitat for wildlife. They also burn in a mosaic like pattern and in so doing reduce the intensity and danger of future fires throughout the area.
Values to be Protected
No values (life, property, natural or cultural resources) are threatened at this time.
Partners Involved
Alaska Fire Service
Contact Information
Kris Fister
907.683.9583
kris_fister@nps.gov
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Currant Creek Fire
Wildfire Started on or about 06/26/2013
Status as of 08/02/2013
Status Cause Natural
Location 15 miles northeast of Port Alsworth (AK)
Acreage Treated
1,784 acres
Estimated Containment Date weather or season ending event
Park Status
The park is open. There are no closures or restrictions due to the fire.
Updates on Fire
Division of Forestry flew the Currant Creek Fire August 1 and observed a less active fire due to cool and moist weather. It smoldered in the northeast corner and had intermittent smokes in the interior.
Overview
Local residents reported seeing smoke at Currant Creek as a thunder and lightning storm moved down Lake Clark the evening of June 26. A National Park Service pilot mapped the fire following the storm and reported the fire to the State of Alaska the same evening.
Strategy
Fire managers will allow the fire to take it’s natural course and monitor it closely. It is still north of Currant Creek and at this time does not pose an immediate threat to resources.
Vegetation Affected Black spruce/boreal mixed woods
Air / Smoke Issues
Where there is fire, there is smoke. Due to the current and expected statewide fire activity, anticipate varying levels of smoke. Keep informed of local fire information and air quality reports. Wildfire smoke information is available at http://dec.alaska.gov/AIR/smokemain.htm
Benefits of the Burn
Fires are a naturally occurring event in the boreal forest. They clean up the forest floor, rejuvenate soils and create rich habitat for wildlife. They also burn in a mosaic like pattern and reduce the intensity and danger of future fires throughout the area.
Partners Involved
State of Alaska Division of Forestry
Contact Information
Mary McBurney
907.781.2218 (c) 907.603.2333
mary_mcburney@nps.gov
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Source: Fire & Aviation Management / National Park Service – U.S. Department of Interior
2013 The NW Fire Blog
NW Fire Blog 