Firefighters made solid progress today on the Nelchina Glacier Fire (#226), burning south of Mile 128 off the Glenn Highway. With 52 personnel assigned, crews put in roughly a mile and a half of new dozer line near Eureka Creek. Aviation support helped locate hotspots on the northeastern shoulder while crews anchored in and built solid black around the perimeter.
An 11-person module from Kansas also arrived today and will be inserted onto the fire, boosting capacity on the line heading into the weekend. Bridger Aerospace’s CL-415EAF Super Scoopers pitched in as well dropping thousands of gallons of water from nearby sources to cool down active areas and assist crews working below.
Looking ahead, firefighters will focus on pushing into the northwestern finger of the fire and securing more perimeter. A helicopter and support staff remain on site to help with bucket drops and medical response if needed. With 4th of July traffic increasing near Mile 128, folks are asked to drive cautiously and stay alert around firefighting activity.
Even though a bit of rain moved through the area, it’s worth remembering rain doesn’t put out wildfires, firefighters do. In Alaska, the duff layer (a thick mix of moss, roots, and organic matter) stays dry beneath the surface and can smolder for days, even after it rains. That’s why crews keep at it digging deep, mopping up, and staying sharp long after the flames die down.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 
