Denali National Park and Preserve - National Park Service Advises Visitors to Use Caution With Fire During Fourth of July Holiday (U.S. National Park Service)

Date: July 1, 2009
Contact: Kris Fister, 907-683-9583

The upcoming holiday weekend is forecast to be warm and mostly dry, and Denali National Park and Preserve officials are asking visitors to be especially cautious with their use of fire while enjoying the park. Campfires are allowed in the park campgrounds that have fire grates but 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.

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

As of this date over 300 fires have burned in Alaska, and two-thirds were human caused. Wildland fuels such as grass, brush, and trees can dry out quickly with warm temperatures, and if ignited can quickly grow into large fires.

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 (907) 683-2294 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily.

- NPS -