Chisana River 2 Wildfire Makes 8300 Acre Run, Grows onto the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge

You are viewing ARCHIVED content

This content was published online before January 20, 2025. Please note that this content is NOT UPDATED, and links may not work. For current information, visit https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/news/index.htm.

News Release Date: June 11, 2015
Contact: Eric Veach, (907) 822-7212

Copper Center, AK –

The Chisana River 2 wildfire, burning 25 miles West of Beaver Creek, Yukon Canada burned north and west yesterday, onto the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge.  The lightning caused fire that was sparked June 9 is now 8324 acres, a growth of 8309 acres overnight.

Yesterday, five firefighters, with the support of a small helicopter, began work to protect a Tetlin Refuge administrative cabin located seven miles from the fire.  By the weekend, fire management staff may assign a helicopter and firefighters to support limited suppression action to protect structures.

When structure protection is in place, the fire will be allowed to run its natural course and will continue to be monitored by air to document fire behavior and to map the fire’s growth.  It is expected this fire will burn until wetting rain significantly changes the conditions.  Smoke will be visible from the Beaver Creek area.

While the weather is forecasted to be wetter and colder through the week, by Saturday, conditions will become hot and dry, which may promote fire growth.

In the boreal forests of Alaska, fire is a recurring, significant and natural process in the boreal ecosystem of Interior Alaska.  It restores ecosystem health and helps to maintain species diversity in the forest.
For statewide wildfire information, visit: http://akfireinfo.com/.

RSS Feed | What is RSS?

Last updated: June 11, 2015

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve
PO Box 439
Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway

Copper Center, AK 99573

Phone:

907 822-5234

Contact Us