COPPER CENTER, AK - The local area has received rainfall over the last few days allowing Wrangell-St. Elias to lift the campfire restrictions in the park and preserve. The use of gas grills and barbeques at campsites are allowed. Fire activity on the monitored Chetaslina (#606) and Long (#484) fires remains minimal.
Ninety-one percent of Alaska parklands fall within Limited Fire Management Option areas. This is where fires may be actively monitored by fire managers for the benefit and long-term ecological health of the land. This means that fire managers continually monitor the fire and ensure no values are at risk while the fire creates the necessary mosaic pattern needed for our ecosystem’s vitality.
Great information can be gained from monitoring the fires in the park and preserve. Specialists can better gauge the fire succession and change in landscape, gain increased fire behavior modeling, research the wildlife habitat impacts, and study the repercussions of shorter fire return intervals.
Below is an update for the two fires being monitored in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve:
Chetaslina Fire (#606) - This fire is now estimated at 2,129.5 acres, experiencing minimal growth after several days with no change in fire behavior or perimeter.
Long Fire (#484) - This 150-acre fire experienced no growth.
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 wrangell - st elias national park chetaslina fire
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
