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Date: August 1, 2009
Contact: Fire Information Office, (907) 529-0511
Contact: Morgan Warthin, (907) 644-3418

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McCarthy, Alaska— Friday was a relatively smoke free day over the McCarthy-Kennecott area. This provided an opportunity in the afternoon to install a couple of research plots in the fire area. Smoke rolled in from the fire as well as from other fires burning within the state towards early evening. Personnel will continue to be stationed at Jake’s Bar to monitor the fire.

The fire perimeter was not mapped yesterday due to poor visibility on the west end of the fire. Areas within the fire perimeter continued to burn together and produce areas of significant smoke.

Today’s efforts will focus on mapping and monitoring the fire perimeter. Fuel reduction work will also continue. Monitoring of the fire will continue until significant moisture is received on the fire. Resources continue to be demobilized as the need decreases.

Fire activity has created a mosaic pattern across the fire area. These conditions ultimately will produce an array of fire effects that improve regeneration of vegetation for wildlife while diversifying the species composition. This mosaic will also aid in reducing the likelihood of future fires. The fire will continue to produce smoke over the fire area impacting local residents as interior areas continue to burn.

• Total Acres: 49,365
• Crews: 0
• Engines: 1
• Helicopters: 1
• Total Personnel: 18

The road from Chitina to McCarthy is open. Drive with headlights on and anticipate areas of heavy smoke and low visibility. Pilots should check NOTAMs and Temporary Flight Restrictions. They should alsobe aware of fire-related helicopter and fixed-wing traffic and decreased visibility. The local victor frequency is 122.9.

For additional information, visit www.nps.gov/wrst/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm, email or contact the local Fire Information Office at (907) 529-0511 or Morgan Warthin, NPS contact in Anchorage for interviews: (907) 644-3418.

-NPS-