A wildfire near Denali National Park's entrance escalated quickly on Sunday, prompting evacuations of campgrounds and nearby housing. Starting at just 20 acres, the Riley Fire expanded to over 350 acres by evening, fueled by active conditions in black spruce terrain near the Alaska Railroad. Although the fire posed no immediate threat to structures, it led to the closure of park facilities and suspension of operations at the entrance area, affecting visitor services and transit buses.

Firefighters, including smokejumpers and local volunteer departments, worked to contain the fire north of the park entrance and west of the railroad. Aircraft dropped water and retardant to manage its spread, with weather forecasts indicating potential relief from cooler temperatures and scattered thunderstorms. Despite efforts, smoke and power outages affected nearby Glitter Gulch, disrupting local utilities and necessitating safety precautions.

In other parts of Alaska, similar fire incidents persisted, including the Montana Creek Fire near Mat-Su and the McDonald Fire in Interior Alaska, underscoring ongoing challenges posed by dry conditions and requiring extensive firefighting efforts across the state.