Wildfire activity along the Parks Highway intensified Sunday, prompting heightened health and safety concerns for some communities in Interior Alaska. The Bear Creek Fire (#237) exhibited unpredictable behavior throughout the day as shifting winds repeatedly redirected the flames, endangering critical infrastructure and forcing firefighters to switch containment efforts.
Smoke and active fire near the highway led to intermittent closures between mileposts 259 and 278. While the road is currently open, drivers should prepare for extended delays, pilot car escorts, and extremely poor visibility due to smoke. Fire crews are working in close proximity to the roadway, and public safety officials with the State of Alaska are urging travelers to drive with caution.
A key concern is the threat to structures and infrastructure in the Bear Creek and Washington Drive area. Tactical burnout operations by the Pioneer Peak Hotshots have been implemented to protect powerlines, cell towers, and homes. Aerial firefighting efforts, including helicopter water drops, are ongoing and guided by intelligence from drones scanning for spot fires and assessing risks to nearby buildings.
The Bear Creek Fire remains active along the Intertie powerline as of June 22. Fire officials stress that the situation is fluid and that evacuation notices are in effect. Level 1 (“READY”), Level 2 (“SET”), and Level 3 (“GO!”) evacuation alerts are in place depending on location. Residents are urged to stay informed by monitoring official channels, including the Denali Borough Facebook page: facebook.com/denali.borough.
Meanwhile, fire activity south of the area escalated as the Saint George Creek Fire (#246) and the Bonnifield Fire (#208) merged on Sunday. Now managed under the Saint George Creek Fire name, the blaze has grown to an estimated 2,675 acres. Heavy smoke has grounded air support, leaving ground crews to defend the Gold King Air Strip and nearby structures under difficult conditions.
In response to the growing complexity, an Alaska Complex Incident Management Team was brought in Sunday evening. The team is currently shadowing fire crews and will take full command of the Bear Creek, Bonnifield, and Saint George Creek fires on Tuesday morning at 7:30 am.