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Containment of the Riley Fire near Denali National Park and Preserve increases 

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Despite a north wind shift Monday, containment lines on the Riley Fire held, keeping it from the Denali Park and Preserve entrance. The fire is now 10% contained after firefighters extended a containment line into the railroad easement on the south end. They’ll work to increase that percentage until full suppression of the Riley Fire is obtained. Using better imagery data, fire managers now estimate the fire to be at 388 acres. 

Cloudy skies and cooler temperatures are aiding firefighters and water-dropping aircraft. The fire has already burned through most of the black spruce in the area. It is now burning mostly hardwoods and brush, which helped moderate fire behavior. The winds, which are typically channeled through the Nenana River corridor, have been uncharacteristically calm since the Riley Fire started on Sunday.  

Helicopters are able to maneuver through the Nenana River corridor to draw water from a nearby lake to make numerous water drops on the fire. Additionally, single-engine water scoopers, known as Fire Boss airplanes, and large scoopers have worked the past several days to help the efforts on the ground. Firefighters continue working near the fire’s edge, using hoses to deliver water and cool down the fire. 

Two hotshot crews arrived Monday night and, with the firefighters on scene managing the suppression efforts, are coming up with a plan to pinch the northern tip of the fire. Firefighters will scout this area Tuesday and possibly start building a containment line on this section using a ridge line to the north as a natural barrier.  

They have made progress keeping the fire away from the Denali National Park and Preserve entrance a mile south, and to the west of the Nenana River. Efforts are focused on the southern end and flanks, allowing the fire to burn northwest up a hillside where it may reach a scree slope to help confine the fire. The Smith River Hotshot Crew will join the endeavor after demobilizing from fires near Central and Circle. 

Evacuations:  Some areas are in Evacuation Status with the Tri-Valley Community Center established as the Evacuation Information Center. Go to the Denali Borough website for more information.  

Red – Go!: The Denali Borough and All Bison Gulch and Antler Ridge hikers, Riley Creek Campground and all employees housed at the Denali National Park Joint Venture facility: ANYONE IN RED AREAS SHOULD EVACUATE. 

Yellow – Set: There are currently no locations in “set”. 

Green – Ready: The Nenana Canyon area (aka Glitter Gulch), Denali National Park Headquarters, C-Camp. Anyone in GREEN areas should stay alert and monitor for evacuation status updates. 

Park Closure:   All visitor facilities and park operations in Denali’s entrance area will be closed Tuesday. Future dates will be assessed based on fire activity. The park will also continue to remain closed to personal vehicles and day use visitors until further notice. Employees evacuated from park housing are being sheltered in various facilities in the nearby town of Healy. Park officials continue to work closely with the Denali Borough and other partners to ensure everyone is taken care of. Go to the Denali National Park and Preserve website for closure information.  

Road conditions:  The Parks Highway remains open. Go to https://511.alaska.gov/ for road condition updates. 

Contact the Alaska Interagency Wildland Fire Information Office at (907)356-5511 for more information.