The Riley Fire continues to burn near the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve, causing ongoing impacts to visitor operations. Jumpers and crews on the ground worked through the night and made good progress, particularly along the fire’s southern flank. To date, twelve smoke jumpers have joined the existing fire crews battling the fire, with four interagency hotshot crews enroute to assist. Various aircraft from multiple agencies are also contributing to the efforts. Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority.
There was not a lot of fire activity overnight, and the size is still estimated at approximately 350 acres. Cooler weather today with the possibility of rain may help the efforts.
Park tour and transit bus service has been suspended, 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 still unknown. A fire investigator will be brought in to conduct an investigation 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.
