News Release

First Wildfire of 2021 in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve

Aerial view of flames and smoke of the Cultas Creek Fire #223

Alaska Fire Service

News Release Date: June 17, 2021

Contact: Kris Fister, [phone]

On Thursday, June 17, while flying over Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve conducting fire ecology surveys, the Regional and Assistant Regional Fire Ecologists for the Alaska National Park Service (NPS) discovered the first wildfire of the season in the preserve, Fire #223, the Cultas Creek Fire.

Alaska Fire Service (AFS) flew over the fire and assessed it at 10 acres, 75 percent active. It is currently creeping, backing, and running, torching trees, along a ridge top in mixed spruce forest between the lower Charley River and Sam Creek. The location is approximately 58 miles northwest of Eagle, and 53 miles southeast of Central, Alaska.

While winds are low, and cooler temperatures and moist air are present and forecasted over the preserve, the forest duff and surrounding spruce forest will continue to dry out as the season progresses.

No values or structures are currently at risk. A limited response approach is being taken by the Eastern Area Fire Management Team of the Alaska NPS. The fire will continue to be monitored.

Visitors and pilots are cautioned to be aware of wildfire smoke and fire management aircraft.

Fire in Alaska’s boreal forest is an essential process that restores ecosystem health and helps maintain species diversity. The National Park Service works with its interagency partners, neighboring communities, and other stakeholders to balance the risks and benefits of wildland fire when making decisions on fire management. Land owners can decrease the risk to their property by taking steps to make cabins and other structures more defensible against wildfire.

Additional park information is available by calling the Eagle Visitor Center at [phone] or the Fairbanks Alaska Public Lands Information Center at [phone].