Riley Wildfire - Denali National Park, Alaska

This photo gallery includes photos from the Riley Wildfire north of the park entrance in Denali National Park, Alaska with images taken on either June 30 or July 1st of 2024. All images are captioned with the date that they were taken on although, the 30th was generally more intense with easily observable flames whereas July 1st was more of a smoldering day with allot of smoke and periodic flareups. 

This is the largest and most significant fire in my time in Denali and during training in May, it was emphasized that the last major fire in the east end of the park took place 100 years ago in 1924. 

Furthermore, the spruce bark beetle infestation was discussed and how dead white spruce trees with the needles are more flammable than trees without the needles. Additionally, efforts to reduce the impacts of a potential fire were discussed as well as showing us the extent of the historical 1924 fire. 

The reality is that all forests change over time whether fire suppression is practiced or not. We are not always going to be able to enjoy that attractive green forest that seemingly never changes but actually does over the years. 

With climate change impacts (warmer winters) that have allowed the spruce bark beetle to spread north into Denali and potentially beyond, Denali's mature 100+ year old white spruce trees are currently vulnerable. This of course will open the door to new growth and an evolution of Denali's forest environment. 

This is but one aspect of the many changes that are occurring in Denali from its forest environment to its melting permafrost, to melting glaciers, to habitat/vegetation changes, to warmer winters and hotter summers, to its reduction in Dall Sheep, caribou, and wolf populations and consequent reduction in wildlife sightings. 

While most visitors may not notice these changes, change is rapidly occurring in Denali and in Alaska. How to mitigate these changes or minimize their consequences is the question? And what are we willing to do as a society and country to do so?  

This fire has resulted in the closure of the park, suspension of various operations and the evacuation of visitors and Concession employees from their employee housing.

Update 7-10-24 

Today is the first day of a return to operations since the fire broke out on June 30th. It is very good to be back and I will be running my first tour since June 29th later this afternoon. 

Lastly, I wanted to include images of the planes and helicopters used in fighting this fire and send out a Big Thank-you to the firefighting crews who fought this fire both in the air and on the ground. I wasn't in a position to photograph the crews on the ground, otherwise I would have loved to have done so. 

The online reference that I used to identify what kind of planes were used in fighting this fire is here: 

Firefighting Planes: An in-depth Guide

All the best. 

Bill