Wildfires Force Temporary Closure of Denali National Park

As a precaution, the Riley Fire, a wildfire raging near the entrance to Denali National Park, has temporarily shut down the entrance.

The first reports of the fire came in during the afternoon on Sunday.

Around 350–400 acres of black spruce had been engulfed by the fire by the time night fell.

Many people in these busy tourist spots are worried about their safety because of how close the fire is.

Denali National Park and Preserve is a significant tourist attraction in Alaska.

About five hours north of Anchorage, at the park, cars were turned around at the lone entry, tour busses were canceled, and public amenities, including the visitor’s center, were closed.

Trails and campsites for current and future reservations were closed on Sunday. According to park spokeswoman Paul Ollig, around 150 National Park Service personnel were forced to evacuate a building close to the fire. Healy, a neighboring town, served as an evacuation hub.

By the time the fire was brought under control north of the park’s entrance, the Alaska Fire Service, which is part of the Bureau of Land Management, said late Sunday that fifty firefighters and planes had dropped retardant and water.

The national park is located on the other side of the Nenana River, where the fire is now raging.

Officials say no structures are in danger. According to the Denali Borough’s website, the fire is now raging to the northwest, further into the park, and distant from the Glitter Gulch tourist district along the highway, which is home to restaurants, motels, and gift stores.

Later Monday, firefighters may get some relief from the weather in the form of lower temperatures and the possibility of scattered thunderstorms. On Tuesday, a powerful low-pressure system is predicted to bring westward winds, followed by colder and rainier weather, according to the fire department.