Visitors Should Use Caution With Fire During Fourth of July Holiday

Date: July 4, 2010
Contact: Kris Fister, [phone]

Even though the upcoming holiday weekend is forecast to have cooler temperatures with the possibility of rain, Denali National Park and Preserve and Denali National Park and Preserve officials are asking visitors to be cautious with their use of fire while enjoying the park. With the long days, wildland fuels such as grass, brush, and trees can dry quickly when the sun comes back out, and if ignited can rapidly grow into large fires. Most of the over 400 fires that have burned in Alaska this year have been started by lightning, but the possibility of human caused fire in developed areas in or near the park is always a concern when fire danger increases.

Fireworks are not permitted in Denali National Park and Preserve and will be confiscated. Persons using fireworks in the park may be prosecuted. 

Campfires are allowed in the park campgrounds that have fire grates but they should be completely extinguished after use. Fires are not allowed in the backcountry areas of the original Mount McKinley National Park that are designated as wilderness.

Updated park information is posted on the web at www. nps.gov/dena and park happenings can be followed real time at DenaliNPS on Twitter.com. Information can also be obtained by calling [phone] from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.