Burn suspension lifted in Susitna Valley

The Mat Su burn suspension has been lifted due to the rain in the Mat Su and Susitna Valleys.

There are 67 active fires burning in Alaska and over 970 thousand acres have burned so far this season.  The National Weather Service is predicting that smoke will continue to hamper visibility in the Susitna Valley.

 The Bear Creek fire burning north of Denali Park is now over 38,000 acres.  34 personnel are working on the fire.  However, the fire received significant rain on Thursday.

The Railbelt Complex fire, which is a series of 3 fires burning near Nenana, is now mapped at 180-thousand acres.  There are 366 people working on the fire.  Native allotments and cabins on the Tanana  and Kantishna rivers are at risk.  Firefighters are now protecting structures along the Parks Highway and in the Kobe  and Rex Bridge areas. 

The Shanta Creek Fire on the Kenai Pennisula is over 13,000 acres and 452 personnel are working on the fire.  A number of lower 48 crews are helping with that fire.

The Chakina  Fire burning near McCarthy and Wrangell St Elias National Park is growing.  The fire is mapped at 19, 600 acres.  Heavy smoke from other fires around the state is affecting work on that fire.  There are 27 people working on the fire.

A number of other large fires around the state are still actively burning, but now in monitor status.