Three Active Fires in Copper Basin

Photo credit Jon Cox\DOF

Nelchina Glacier fire.

June 26, 2025

Allison Sayer - CRR Staff

The Alaska Division of Forestry (DOF) reported three active fires in the Valdez/ Copper River area this week. All of the following information is from the DOF interactive wildland fire map (akfireinfo.com/maps) and DOF press releases on the Alaska Wildland Fire Information webpage.

As of Monday morning, DOF reported a fire in the Nelchina Glacier vicinity, four miles south of the Eureka Roadhouse, to be 1407.3 acres. On Sunday, bucket operations were conducted by two Blackhawks for seven hours in the afternoon.

With high winds, the fire spread, moving downslope of the glacier. Reported structure protection included beginning sprinkler set up and firebreaks on the Glenn Highway corridor on Sunday. The Incident Command requested additional resources: two scoopers and air attack, due to the increasing size of the fire and the nearby structures. The fire was first discovered on June 19. Its cause is reported as “undetermined.”

As of Monday morning, DOF reported a fire in the Fish Lake area to be 554.5 acres. Reconnaissance over the weekend showed the fire had split into two separate fires. The Division plans to monitor local cabins. The fire was first discovered on June 20. Its cause is reported as “undetermined.”

As of Monday morning, DOF reported a fire in the East Gakona River area to be 953.6 acres. The Division reported they expected the fire to continue spreading, but that human infrastructure was not a concern. The fire was first discovered on June 21. Its cause is reported as “undetermined.”

Fires continue to burn across interior Alaska, with some neighborhoods in the Denali Borough and the Fairbanks North Star Borough under evacuation order. Over the weekend, residents in one Tok neighborhood were advised to evacuate immediately, and several other neighborhoods were advised to be “ready” to evacuate.

For up-to-date information including maps please visit akfireinfo.com