Wildfire activity increased over the 4th of July weekend. Fires in and near Denali National Park boundaries increased due to the recent warm, dry weather. The Bear Creek Fire, located approximately 25 miles north of Kantishna, has spread smoke over interior and south central Alaska. It is now over 29 thousand acres and moved south on Saturday due to north winds. Smokejumpers provided structural protection to the Roosevelt Cabin, a historic cabin located three miles from the southern end of the fire.
Another fire, the Zitziana Fire, tripled in size over the weekend and is over 20 thousand acres. It is 25 miles north of the park boundary and north of Wein Lake.
61 fires statewide remain active. 7 are staffed and uncontained and another 10 are contained.
