New Fire Burning in Preserve

Date: July 14, 2015
Contact: Kris Fister, 907-455-0641

EAGLE, Alaska: The lightning-ignited Weshrinarin Creek Fire was reported by an aircraft flying over the area on Monday, July 13. Fire managers conducted an aerial reconnaissance flight later that day and reported the perimeter of the 30 acre fire as 30% active. There are no threats to structures at this time. 

The fire is burning in a limited protection area and has been placed in monitor status. The area is expected to receive precipitation over the next few days, which will likely moderate fire behavior.

As the wildland fire protection agency for the area, the BLM Alaska Fire Service is working closely with the National Park Service to monitor the fire. Federal land managers have opted to let the fire take its natural course, as fire in the boreal forests of the preserve is a natural process that restores ecosystem health and wildlife habitat. Agency managers will take measures to protect life or property as needed.

The only other fire in the Preserve, the Trout Fire, continues to smolder. However minimal smoke has been observed recently. The fire is estimated to be 278 acres in size and is in monitor status. It does not pose a threat to the community of Eagle, nor to any structures within the Preserve at this time.  

There will be no additional updates on the fires within Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve unless significant changes occur.

The Seventy Mile Fire burning south of the Preserve remains at 2,902 acres, and is in monitor status. It currently poses no threat to Eagle. 

Additional information on the Seventy Mile Fire or other fires outside the Preserve can be obtained by calling the Joint Information Center at [phone]. Statewide wildfire information is also available at http://akfireinfo.com or http://fire.ak.blm.gov. 

Additional park information is available on the web at www.nps.gov/yuch or by calling the Eagle Visitor Center between 8:00 am –5:00 pm at [phone].