Date: June 28, 2013
Beaver Creek, Yukon –– The Chisana River Fire continues moving to the south with some slow movement to the east. The fire, which was started by lightning May 31, has grown to 47,000 acres. The fire is burning in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and in the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge.
Portions of the fire received rain from thunderstorms overnight and thunderstorms with lightning are forecast for the fire area today and Saturday. Temperatures remain above normal, though they have cooled from yesterday. Fire managers continue to monitor the fire’s movement and behavior.
Currently, no resources are threatened by the fire. However, fire managers have developed contingency plans and are prepared to take action if resources are threatened. The fire is approximately 13 miles west of the Canadian border, 17.5 miles west of Beaver Creek, Yukon, Canada and 21 miles northeast of Chisana.
The Alaska Division of Forestry has assembled a combined Alaska/Yukon organization of fire managers, based in Beaver Creek. They have developed a community protection plan for Beaver Creek and are working with the Government of Yukon. Staff with Yukon Wildland Fire Management, Yukon Fire Marshal’s Office and the Yukon Emergency Measures Organization have developed emergency response measures as a precaution should the fire situation intensify. Fire officials are advising those living or traveling in the Beaver Creek and surrounding areas that they may encounter smoke depending on the fire behavior and wind conditions. Your patience and understanding is appreciated.
Smoke from the Chisana River fire has also been reported throughout portions of the Eastern Interior and Southcentral Alaska. If smoke impacts the Alaska Highway, motorists are asked to use caution, slow down, and drive with their headlights on. Updated information on travel conditions can be found at http://511.alaska.gov and http://511yukon.ca.
Wildland fire smoke information is available at http://www.dec.state.ak.us/air/smokemain.htm.
