The Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Service, and the State of Alaska have responded to a number of wildland fires that have ignited across Alaska parklands. Currently, there are two wildfires in Denali National Park and Preserve, two in Yukon-Charley National Preserve, one in Noatak National Preserve, five in Cape Krusenstern National Monument and one fire, the Kandik Creek Fire, burning on YUCH congressional boundary. At this time, no values are at risk. The fires are in limited protection zones and have been placed in a monitor status.
National Park Service fire records show that Cape Krusenstern has had only four fires since 1950. Five fires this year alone at the onset of our Alaska fire season is above normal.
Predictive Services had forecasted both June and July to have below normal fire activity due to late snowmelt, above normal precipitation and cooler temperatures, but that doesn’t mean wildfires can’t ignite. All of the current fires within Alaska parklands were natural starts; however, National Park Service wildland fire managers encourage park visitors and staff to be extra cautious with anything that could start a wildfire. As a gentle reminder, fireworks are prohibited on National Park Service lands. Fifty-seven percent of wildfires in Alaska in 2017 were human-caused. Everyone has a hand in a safe wildfire season.
For more information on wildfires within National Park Service, Alaska please visit https://www.nps.gov/locations/alaska/wildland-fire.htm.
