COPPER CENTER, AK - The Copper River Basin area weather provided some cloud
coverage and cooler temperatures yesterday, but warmer, drier weather is expected again
today and on into mid-week. In addition, strong, southerly winds are forecast which may
increase the likelihood of fire spread to the north and northeast for the Chetaslina Fire (#606). The Long Fire (#484) showed only a slight 2.5-acre growth bringing the estimated total to 5 acres.
Below is an update for the two fires actively burning in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and
Preserve:
Chetaslina Fire (#606) - This estimated 2,125-acre fire is burning in heavy timber
approximately 25 miles east from Copper Center and is spreading across both Ahtna Inc. and National Park Service Lands. Fire managers from the Division of Forestry - Valdez-Copper River Area, BLM Alaska Fire Service - South Zone, and the National Park Service are working together to identify and assess values for consideration of point protection, which will be implemented by firefighters. Point protection is a wildfire response strategy which protects specific assets or highly valued resources from the wildfire without directly halting the continued spread of the fire. Fire behavior is described as active with isolated tree-torching, flanking and backing.
Long Fire (#484) - Updated mapping of the fire yesterday, showed a slight increase in acres
from 2.5 acres to 5 acres. Fire managers from the Division of Forestry - Valdez-Copper River
Area, BLM Alaska Fire Service - South Zone, and the National Park Service will continue to
monitor the fire. Currently, there are no values or resources at risk threatened.
For statewide wildfire information, visit: https://akfireinfo.com/.
For additional information, please contact the Fire Information Center at (208)274-3316 or
visit http://www.nps.gov/wrst/index.htm.
Tags: wildland fire wildfire wrangell - st elias national park chetaslina fire
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
