Alaska wildfire burning near Denali National Park entrance closes park to visitors

Emilee Speck

July 3, 2024 at 10:14 a.m.·1 min read

DENALI NATIONAL PARK, Alaska – A wildfire in Alaska forced park rangers to close Denali National Park to day visitors as firefighters work to contain the blaze.

The Riley Fire was first detected on June 30. It is burning west of Park Highway inside the national park, with its south end a mile north of the Denali National Park and Preserve entrance.

The National Park Service closed Denali Park to day visitors on Tuesday. All visitor facilities and park trails are closed. Anyone not camping is being turned around at the park entrance.

RARE ALASKA SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS BRING OVER 75,000 LIGHTNING STRIKES NEAR ARCTIC CIRCLE

According to the NPS, there is no estimated timeline for when operations will resume.

On Tuesday, firefighters increased the 388-acre fire's containment to 25%. Crews recently made progress keeping the fire away from the park entrance and to the west of the Nenana River, according to the NPS.

Crews are using helicopters to drop water on the Riley Fire, and two hotshot crews arrived on Monday to help with impression efforts.

The number of wildfires in Alaska has increased since late June due to rounds of thunderstorms with high lightning activity. These storms even prompted the National Weather Service in Fairbanks to issue a rare Severe Thunderstorm Warning in Arctic Alaska.

According to the Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service, between June 21 and July 2, Alaska experienced 172 wildfires statewide, up from 74 active fires.

However, the Riley fire was likely started by humans, according to the Alaska Fire Service.

Original article source: Alaska wildfire burning near Denali National Park entrance closes park to visitors

The Weather Network
Swarm of quakes strike off the B.C. coast; no tsunami threat
Several earthquakes rattled the ocean floor off Vancouver Island on Thursday
The Weather Network
Severe thunderstorms threaten southern Ontario into the weekend
Stay alert for rapidly changing conditions through the day Friday if you’re out and about in southern Ontario
The Canadian Press
Beryl moves into the Gulf of Mexico after battering Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, takes aim at Texas
TULUM, Mexico (AP) — Beryl moved into the the Gulf of Mexico Friday and took aim at the south Texas coast after battering Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Texas officials issued disaster declarations and urge coastal residents to prepare as the storm headed their way.
The Weather Network
Beryl on track to restrengthen in Gulf before Texas landfall
The storm hit Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on Friday, and it’s on track for its third landfall early this week
The Weather Network
Beware! These dangerous plants are found in Canada
Here are four plants you need to avoid coming into contact with this season
The Weather Network
Don’t fall victim to these seven dangerous tornado myths
Tornado safety is more important than ever as we head into the summer months. Here are some tornado myths to avoid—and the tips you need to stay safe.
The Weather Network
Scorching July heat, first 40°C day makes its way to Canada
After a chilly end to June and start to July, folks across parts of Canada will finally be feeling the summer heat; we could even see a new hotspot emerge
USA TODAY
Beryl livestreams: Watch webcams as storm approaches Texas coast
Tropical Storm Beryl was moving over Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula Friday, but is expected to impact parts of south Texas later this weekend.
The Weather Network
Stuck in your car during a tornado? Here’s what you should do
There aren’t many good places to find yourself during a tornado, but a car is one of the worst options
The Weather Network - Video
Severe storms threaten Ontario's Friday plans
Heat and humidity continues across southern Ontario prompting the threat for severe storms as a low pressure system tracks in. More details with Meteorologist Melinda Singh.
The Conversation
Fusion power could transform how we get our energy — and worsen problems it’s intended to solve
Some processes that support fusion energy fuel climate change and may harm the environment.
United Press International
Watch: Large, Argentina-native rodent on the loose in Colorado park
Wildlife officials in Colorado are attempting to track down a long-legged South American rodent seen wandering loose in Lakewood's Bear Creek Lake Park.
CNN
A ‘potentially historic’ heat wave intensifies along the West Coast, as dangerous wildfires spread
An extremely dangerous, unusually long heat wave is intensifying and spreading up the West Coast – and there will be no relief for days.
WXII - Greensboro/Winston-Salem Videos
WATCH: Tracking Hurricane Beryl as it moves toward Tulum and Cozumel in Mexico
Hurricane Beryl is on a track that will impact the Yucatan Peninsual including Cozumel and Cancun before reaching Texas later this weekend. Heat Advisory is in effect Friday July, 5 from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. for feels like temperatures in the lower 100s. A marginal risk for severe storms is possible Friday afternoon in the Mountains and Foothills.
Global News
Hurricane Beryl heads for Mexico after pummelling Cayman Islands, Jamaica
Hurricane Beryl has left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean, including Jamaica, where at least two people have been killed. Dan Spector reports on how thousands of Jamaicans have been left with nothing; how the storm crashed a Canadian couple's honeymoon, and how Mexico is now bracing itself for the worst.
The Independent
Mapped: Hurricane Beryl makes landfall in Mexico as Category 2 storm
Hurricane Beryl could make a ‘rare’ double strike in Mexico and potentially impact southeastern United States
Reuters Videos
Beryl's waves flood Grand Cayman condo complex
STORY: :: Hurricane Beryl's waves flood a Grand Cayman condo complex:: July 4, 2024:: Prospect, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands:: Filip GalbavyThe video also showed a flooded parking lot and paths submerged under water, with high waves crashing against the shore. The once-sturdy seawall of the complex has been destroyed, with sea rocks scattered across the garden, emphasizing the storm's power. The relentless high waves and strong winds continue to batter the shore, compounding the damage.Residents and officials are now assessing the full extent of the devastation, with recovery and rebuilding efforts expected to be substantial.
The Canadian Press
Possible shark sighting at Nova Scotia beach prompts lifeguard to alert swimmers
HALIFAX — A possible shark sighting near a popular Nova Scotia beach prompted a lifeguard to clear the supervised swimming area on Thursday, but the head of the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service says there's no cause for alarm.
Fox Weather
Tropical Storm Aletta kicks off hurricane season in eastern Pacific basin
The Eastern Pacific basin roared to life Thursday as the National Hurricane Center christened Tropical Storm Aletta just off the western coast of Mexico, though it didn't last long.
The Weather Network - Video
Humidity fuels severe storm risk in Ontario
Hot and humid conditions persist across Ontario, accompanied by an increased risk of severe storms. Meteorologist Rhythm Reet from The Weather Network provides insights into the timing and potential impacts.

Latest Stories