Key Message:
Starting Tuesday, July 8th at 9AM, in coordination with the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, the pilot car operation between MP 264 and 273 on the Parks Highway will be discontinued. A reduced speed limit of 45 miles per hour will be in effect for firefighter and public safety due to smoky conditions and firefighting operations near the roadway.
Firefighters on the Saint George Creek taking airdropped supplies to their spike camp.
Current Status:
Bear Creek Fire (#237): On July 7th, utility workers finished repairs on the fiber optic cable that was damaged near the Parks Highway earlier in the fire. Cooler weather and scattered thunderstorms reduced fire behavior Monday. These favorable conditions aided crews in connecting containment lines on the South and Southeast corner of the fire. In the Washington Creek and Bear Creek communities, firefighters worked carefully and methodically to find, dig up, and extinguish embers in a 100-foot circle surrounding structures. This meticulous and time-consuming process, known as mop up and gridding greatly enhances structural protection, preventing fire from reigniting on hot, windy days.
Saint George Creek Fire (#246): On July 7th, firefighters continued focusing on structural protection. These actions included mop up and gridding around the cabins located on the northeast corner of the fire and near the Gold King Creek community. This work will continue Tuesday and firefighters also plan to provide structural protection and fuel breaks along the southeast corner of the fire.
Weather and Fire Behavior
Isolated rain of variable intensity fell on the fires on Monday, with the Bear Creek Fire receiving more precipitation than the Saint George Creek Fire. On the evening of the 7th rainfall is expected again, with thunderstorms dissipating by midmorning. The cooler temperatures and rainfall are expected to continue Tuesday and Wednesday.
Evacuations
The Level 3 GO evacuation area for the Saint George Creek Fire was expanded on July 3. In coordination with fire managers, the Denali Borough downgraded evacuation status for the Bear Creek Fire area. For the most accurate information and evacuation status maps visit the Denali Borough website or Facebook page. You may also call or text the Denali Borough Fire Info line between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. at 907-378-7985.
State of Alaska Individual Assistance Program
Designed to help individuals and families recover from damage to their primary residence and other essential property including Individual and Family Grants (IFG) and Temporary Housing Grants (THG). The registration period is from June 27 – August 27, 2025. Register at: https://ready.alaska.gov/Recovery/IA or call: 844-445-7131.
More information
Look for updated information on Inciweb, and updates on social media. For information about the Bear Creek Fire and Saint George Creek Fire, call 907-318-2018 or email 2025.bearcreek@firenet.gov.
For a downloadable copy of the July 8, daily update, click here. For a downloadable, updated map of the fire, click here.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 