July 6th, 2025: Forestry Hopes That "Cooler Weather" Will Help Curb Eureka Summit Fire
Cooler weather predicted over the Nelchina Glacier Fire will aid firefighters with suppression efforts BY ALASKA DIVISION OF FORESTRY ...
Cooler weather predicted over the Nelchina Glacier Fire will aid firefighters with suppression efforts
Cooler and wetter weather has been forecast over the Nelchina Glacier Fire (#226) area, 4 miles south of Eureka Junction, beginning towards the first of the week. The change in weather from the hot and dry pattern over the fire area has been experiencing for the past few weeks will begin to shift to a more cool and damp weather pattern in the coming days. The change is weather will help moderate the fire behavior allowing fire crews the opportunity to increase containment and secure more of the fire line throughout the coming days.
Fire activity has been minimal on the Nelchina Glacier Fire, but occasional smoke may still be visible to the pubic on the Glenn Highway as individual single-tree torching may occur. These fire-cured trees are well inside the fire perimeter and pose no threat the containment lines. However, crews working with water dropping helicopters will continue to take suppressive actions on these flare ups to ensure that the current containment lines are not breached in addition to constructing additional handline to secure the fire.
Today, crews will continue working from the southern part of the fire towards the north. There are two separate fire crew’s currently assigned to the incident. One crew has been working the western side of the fire to the north while the other crew is working the eastern side of the fire to north. Both crews will eventually meet at the northern part of the fire, successfully pinching the head of the fire off. As crews continue to construct fire line on both sides of the fire, they will reinforce the completed fire line with hose lays and pumps, taking advantage of abundance of ponds throughout the fire area. Yesterday, 2000’ feet of hose was installed, and more will be installed over the coming days as crews complete line construction and ready the sites for more pumps and hose lays. Areas that are inaccessible to hose will be mopped up with the help of water dropping helicopters. Currently there is 1 helicopter assigned to the fire for bucket and cargo support.
As the holiday weekend comes to an end and people return home, travelers on the Glenn Highway between mile markers 128 and 138 are asked to slow down and stay alert as smoke may still be visible throughout the day. Fire crews, support vehicles, and helicopters will be working in the area and are staging at Gunsight Lodge on the Glenn Highway. Additional signage and safety patrols along the route will be visible as crews continue to a battle the fire.
