Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Incident Media Photographs

Settings - change map background and toggle additional layers
Filter - control incident types displayed on map.
Zoom to your location
Reset map zoom and position

Could not determine your location.

  • wildfire Wildfire
  • prescribed fire Prescribed Fire
  • burned area emergency response Burned Area Response
  • other type Other

Riley Fire

Share this incident
Facebook Twitter Email

Unit Information

Alaska Fire Service - Tanana Zone 
Alaska 
Fort Wainwright, 
Alaska 
99703 
Alaska Fire Service - Tanana Zone 
Alaska 
Fort Wainwright, 
Alaska 
99703 

Incident Contacts

  • Alaska Interagency Fire Information
    Phone:
    907.356.5511
  • Denali National Park and Preserve Information
    Phone:
    907.683.9532
    Hours:
    9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Photographs Gallery

Riley Fire Overview
An aerial view of the Riley Fire at Denali National Park and Preserve showing the burned area, part of a river and mountains in the distance.
An aerial view of the Riley Fire at Denali National Park and Preserve showing the burned area, part of a river and mountains in the distance.
Riley Fire Overview

The Riley Fire (as of July 14, 2024) is not out but is 100% contained. The fire burned 436 acres on the edge of Denali National Park and Preserve but no park facilities were impacted. 

After the fire
An entrance sign for Denali National Park and Preserve is seen with a small burned area in the distance behind
An entrance sign for Denali National Park and Preserve is seen with a small burned area in the distance behind
After the fire

Denali National Park and the park road are open! The Riley Fire is not yet out but is fully contained. Fire personnel will continue to monitor the fire area in the days ahead.

Crew Shuttles by Alaska Railroad in to Riley Fire
Crew Shuttles by Alaska Railroad in to Riley Fire
pio_11x17_land_20240711_2153_Riley_AKTAD000318_0712day.png
Riley Fire PIO Map July 12th, 2024
Riley Fire PIO Map July 12th, 2024
pio_11x17_land_20240711_2153_Riley_AKTAD000318_0712day.png
Tree roots burned
Burned tree roots from fire spread in the duff.
Burned tree roots from fire spread in the duff.
Tree roots burned

When fire moves through the duff, it can burn tree roots, which make trees weak and fall in the wind.

Riley Fire start
First fire plume along the railroad tracks.
First fire plume along the railroad tracks.
Riley Fire start

The Riley Fire started on June 30, 2024 along the railroad tracks in the Nenana River Canyon in Denali National Park and Preserve.

helicopter water bucket fill
Helicopter dips water from a river to drop on the fire.
Helicopter dips water from a river to drop on the fire.
helicopter water bucket fill

A helicopter flies with a bucket load of water to drop on the Riley Fire.

Burned duff
The organic duff layer is burned, exposing and burning tree roots.
The organic duff layer is burned, exposing and burning tree roots.
Burned duff

As fire moves through the organic duff layer, it burns roots and destabilizes trees.

Riley Fire smoke plume in Nenana River Canyon
A large smoke plume rises from a river canyon.
A large smoke plume rises from a river canyon.
Riley Fire smoke plume in Nenana River Canyon

The first day of the Riley Fire was the most active as it grew from the railroad tracks up the mountain slopes in the Nenana River Canyon.

backcountry heliport
A helicopter rises above a clearing that serves as a heliport.
A helicopter rises above a clearing that serves as a heliport.
backcountry heliport

A helicopter rises above a clearing that serves as a heliport.

Fire near the railroad tracks
The fire burned near the railroad grade.
The fire burned near the railroad grade.
Fire near the railroad tracks

The fire started near the railroad tracks.

Fire management officer
A firefighter stands on a ridge looking out toward the fire.
A firefighter stands on a ridge looking out toward the fire.
Fire management officer

A fire management officer in the field observing the fire and working with crews.

Return to top