Fire crews tackle blaze at Wrangell-St. Elias
Posted by KCHU at 6/1/2011 10:16 AM 
Categories: Wrangell-St. Elias News, Copper River Valley News, McCarthy News
Categories: Wrangell-St. Elias News, Copper River Valley News, McCarthy News
by Tony Gorman
Crews are working to put down a fire at the Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park and Preserve that has already burned 800 to 1000 acres. Park officials say personnel responded to the blaze, around 5 p.m. Wednesday, near the Gilahina Trestle 20 miles west of McCarthy. Two air tankers dropped water and a five-man Helitak Crew deployed pumps and hoses to the southwest flank of the fire. A 20-man Type 2 Gammite Glacier Initial Attack Crew is on currently on scene. Another Type 2 Crew is scheduled to arrive later this afternoon. Smoke from fire is visible from McCarthy, Kennecott, and Chitina. So, far, it has not affected traffic on McCarthy Road.
Crews are working to put down a fire at the Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park and Preserve that has already burned 800 to 1000 acres. Park officials say personnel responded to the blaze, around 5 p.m. Wednesday, near the Gilahina Trestle 20 miles west of McCarthy. Two air tankers dropped water and a five-man Helitak Crew deployed pumps and hoses to the southwest flank of the fire. A 20-man Type 2 Gammite Glacier Initial Attack Crew is on currently on scene. Another Type 2 Crew is scheduled to arrive later this afternoon. Smoke from fire is visible from McCarthy, Kennecott, and Chitina. So, far, it has not affected traffic on McCarthy Road.
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