Cooler weather helps firefighters battling 11,000-acre blaze near Chena Hot Springs

By Anchorage Daily News

Updated: July 4, 2021 Published: July 4, 2021

The Munson Creek Fire burns Friday afternoon, July 2, 2021. The fire as of Friday night was estimated at more than 11,000 acres. (Ryan McPherson / BLM Alaska Fire Service Air Attack)

Cool, damp weather provided a boost Saturday to firefighters working a blaze near Chena Hot Springs that has grown to an estimated 11,000-plus acres, the Division of Forestry said in a Saturday update.

Hot, dry conditions starting Wednesday helped fuel the Munson Creek Fire’s rapid growth this week, but light rain Saturday morning added moisture to the air, “helping to calm fire behavior,” the forestry division said.

The fire is about 1 mile south of the resort, and 1 to 2 miles south of Chena Hot Springs Road between Miles 46 and 48, fire officials said. Nearly 110 firefighters are assigned to the Munson Creek Fire.

The Munson Creek Fire was initially caused by lightning on June 18.

Firefighters on Saturday were focusing their efforts on protecting homes and other structures between Miles 45 and 55 of Chena Hot Springs Road, officials said.

Members of the Yukon Fire Crew haul water and tools at Chena Hot Springs Resort on Friday, July 2, 2021 as they work to set up hose, pumps and sprinklers around structures at the resort. (Cathie Harms / Alaska DNR-Division of Forestry)

Hoses, pumps and sprinklers have been set up around 20 cabins and homes in the area, the forestry division said. Eight smokejumpers set up additional protection at a cabin along Middle Fork Chena River and were trying to locate another cabin nearby.

Smoke made it difficult for firefighters to determine the status of two of the resort’s yurts, which are located about 2 miles southeast of Chena Hot Springs, the Division of Forestry said. Brush had been cleared or burned around the structures and sprinklers were hooked up to protect them.

Officials continue to recommend that area residents and resort guests be prepared to evacuate immediately if necessary. On Friday, the owner of Chena Hot Springs Resort expressed confidence in the defensibility and safety of the resort, noting that there are two rivers on either side of the resort and a runway in the middle.

The Division of Forestry and Fairbanks North Star Borough planned to provide fire updates at a livestreamed public meeting at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Chena Hot Springs Resort activities center.

Chena Hot Springs Road remains open, but state park facilities east of Mile 45 are closed, including the Angel Rocks Trail and Chena Dome Trail.