River Trail

### 1. Fire Start, Size and Growth - **Start Date/Time/Location**: Specific ignition date and time for the River Trail Fire in Alaska are not detailed in the available reports. However, it is part of the 2025 Alaska fire season and is associated with the Nenana Ridge Complex area near the Parks Highway. - **Size and Containment**: The River Trail Fire remains in patrol and monitor status with no notable fire spread as of July 26, 2025[1]. The broader Nenana Ridge Complex, which includes the Bonanza Creek Fire and Goldstream Creek Fire, has seen containment progress, with the Bonanza Creek Fire reported at 12,576 acres and 13% containment as of July 18, 2025[2]. - **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The fire is burning in heavy fuels and duff layers, particularly on the western flank where significant heat persists. The eastern finger of the fire is holding, with crews reinforcing lines and conducting snagging operations to mitigate hazards from fire-weakened trees[1]. No recent significant growth has been reported. - **Containment Efforts**: Firefighting efforts include patrol and monitoring, hotspotting, felling fire-damaged trees, and reopening access roads such as Nenana Ridge Road. Multiple crews, including Pike Hotshots, Aravaipa Hotshot Crew, White Mountain Type 2 Initial Attack Crew, Yukon Type 2 Initial Attack Crew, and Northeast Interagency 7 Crew, are actively engaged in suppression, snagging, and securing firelines[1][3]. ### 2. Emergency Information - **Evacuations and Warnings**: A Level 1 ‘READY’ evacuation status is in place for areas along the Parks Highway from Mile Post 308-317 and 338-342, including homes along Little Goldstream Road, agricultural areas, and subdivisions such as Farmview. Inside the borough, evacuation zones include Old Nenana Highway, Standard Creek, Old Ridge Trail, and Cache Creek Road[3]. - **Road Closures**: No specific road closures related to the River Trail Fire are reported, but crews are working to reopen Nenana Ridge Road, which runs through the fire area[1]. - **Evacuation Shelters**: No specific shelters are mentioned in the available information. - **For more information, visit:** - Alaska Division of Forestry Fire Information: https://akfireinfo.com - Alaska Interagency Coordination Center: https://fire.ak.blm.gov - Alaska Department of Transportation for road conditions: https://dot.alaska.gov ### 3. Current Impact - **Community and Infrastructure Impact**: There is no reported significant fire spread or destruction directly attributed to the River Trail Fire at this time. The fire remains in patrol and monitor status with no notable growth[1]. - **Safety Concerns**: Firefighters are actively managing hazards from fire-weakened and fallen trees along highways and access roads. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Nenana Ridge Complex to prevent unauthorized drone flights, which have previously disrupted aerial firefighting operations[2]. - **Fire Restrictions and Closures**: Outdoor closures and fire restrictions are in effect in parts of the region due to fire activity, including closures of campgrounds and recreation areas unrelated directly to the River Trail Fire but indicative of heightened fire danger in the region[4]. - **Air and Water Quality**: No specific air or water quality advisories related to the River Trail Fire are reported. ### 4. Ongoing Outlook - **Containment Projections**: Firefighters have made substantial progress in containment along the fire edges, with continued hotspotting and patrol expected to maintain control. The fire is currently stable with no significant spread reported[1][3]. - **Weather and Fire Behavior**: Forecasts indicate partly to mostly cloudy conditions with possible showers and thunderstorms, temperatures between 59-67°F, relative humidity around 50-60%, and light northeast winds with gusts up to 15 mph at ridgetops. High pressure is expected to continue, bringing fair weather but moderate warming and drying, which could increase fire activity in drying fuel beds[3]. - **Fire Restrictions**: Fire restrictions and outdoor closures remain in effect to reduce fire risk during the warm weather period[4]. ### 5. Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate - **Cause**: The specific cause of the River Trail Fire is not detailed in the available information. - **Weather and Climate Role**: The fire behavior is influenced by the current weather pattern of moderate temperatures, moderate humidity, and light winds. The drying of fuels under high pressure conditions poses a risk for renewed fire activity. The presence of heavy fuels and duff layers contributes to persistent heat in some fire areas, requiring ongoing suppression efforts[1][3][4]. For ongoing updates, residents and interested parties should monitor official Alaska fire information sources and heed evacuation notices and fire restrictions as conditions evolve.

Citations

['https://akfireinfo.com/2025/07/26/reinforced-lines-and-recon-flights-push-firefighting-efforts-forward/', 'https://akfireinfo.com/2025/07/18/water-resources-help-crews-continue-to-grow-containment-of-fireline-on-the-nenana-ridge-complex/', 'https://akfireinfo.com/2025/07/25/goldstream-creek-and-bonanza-creek-fires-see-continued-suppression-success/', 'https://akfireinfo.com/2025/07/25/enjoy-the-upcoming-warm-weather-but-be-aware-of-outdoor-closures-fire-restrictions-and-fire-safety/', 'https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/alerts.htm?t=Closure&v=1']