Elephant

## Elephant Fire Report - July 29, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Elephant Fire (#225) was first reported around July 7, 2025. The fire is located approximately 5 miles north of the Eureka Highway in Yukon-Koyukuk County, Alaska. **Size and Containment**: As of July 21, 2025, the Elephant Fire has burned 8,941 acres and is 79% contained. This fire is considered stale, meaning it has not been updated in over three days, and data may be inaccurate. **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: In the last 72 hours, fire behavior has been minimal, with reports of creeping and smoldering within the fire perimeter. Recent rainfall has increased relative humidities and moderated fire activity. **Containment Efforts**: Firefighters have been working to strengthen control lines and secure areas where the fire previously crossed roads and creeks. Efforts have also focused on securing lines around structures and Alaska Native Allotments. Crews are backhauling unneeded equipment from the fire area. ### Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering:** **Mandatory Evacuation Orders**: A Level 1 "Ready" evacuation notice was in effect for Eureka and residences along the Eureka-Rampart Trail. This status has since been lifted as conditions have improved. The affected area included Eureka Road from Milepost 130 of the Elliott Highway north to the Eureka-Rampart Trail, encompassing the community of Eureka and structures near Granite Creek. **Evacuation Shelters and Information**: No specific evacuation shelters have been reported. Residents were advised to stay alert and prepared for potential changes in evacuation status. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** Information regarding current road closures specifically related to the Elephant Fire within the last 72 hours is limited. However, in general, wildfires in Interior Alaska have led to highway delays and closures, including on the Parks Highway. Travelers are advised to check conditions by calling 511 before traveling. **For more information, visit:** * [Alaska Wildland Fire Information](http://akfireinfo.com/) * [BLM Alaska Fire Service](https://www.blm.gov/alaska/fire) * [Your Alaska Link](https://youralaskalink.com/) ### Current Impact **Impacts:** **Structures Impacted**: Information on specific structures destroyed or damaged by the Elephant Fire is not readily available. However, in broader Interior Alaska wildfire events, there have been reports of structures lost. **School and Business Closures**: No specific school or business closures related to the Elephant Fire have been reported. **Notable Impacts**: The fire is located in a region with Alaska Native Allotments, and efforts have been made to protect these areas. **Safety Concerns:** **Power Outages**: No power outages directly attributed to the Elephant Fire have been reported. **Water Safety**: No specific water safety concerns have been reported. **Burn Bans**: While no specific burn bans for the Elephant Fire area are detailed, general fire restrictions and burn bans are common across Alaska during wildfire season due to increased fire danger. **Air Quality**: Smoke from fires in Interior Alaska has impacted air quality in the past, leading to advisories. Current air quality information for the immediate vicinity of the Elephant Fire is not detailed in recent reports. ### Ongoing Outlook **Containment Projections**: With the fire at 79% containment and fire behavior being minimal, containment efforts are focused on securing existing lines and mopping up hot spots. **Weather and Wind Warnings**: Recent rainfall has moderated fire activity. Forecasts indicate temperatures in the 70s with a chance of additional precipitation Friday and Saturday. However, warmer and drier conditions are expected to develop later in the week. Scattered storms are anticipated, which could bring gusty winds. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate **Cause**: The cause of the Elephant Fire has not been explicitly stated in the provided information. However, lightning is a common ignition source for fires in Alaska. **Weather and Climate**: Alaska's wildfire season is influenced by rapidly warming temperatures and longer growing seasons, leading to increased fire risk. While recent rainfall has helped moderate the Elephant Fire, the overall trend in Alaska indicates a shift towards drier conditions that can exacerbate fire behavior. Climate change is a significant factor contributing to changes in wildfire patterns in Alaska, including increased fire frequency, size, and severity. ### For more information, visit:** * [Alaska Wildland Fire Information](http://akfireinfo.com/) * [BLM Alaska Fire Service](https://www.blm.gov/alaska/fire) * [Your Alaska Link](https://youralaskalink.com/)

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