A new wildfire burning in the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Reserve appears to have been caused by lightning, a release from the National Park Service said.
A NPS ranger flying over the preserve Monday confirmed the fire started in the Weshrinarin Creek drainage south of the Yukon River — 6.6 miles east of the Charley River.
The fire, referred to as Yukon Charley Fire (#217) in the release, is being managed for resource benefits and other objectives. NPS says it's not currently threatening cabins or other resources. "There is moderate potential for fire growth in the coming weeks," the release states. "Fire managers will continue to monitor the fire while developing plans should it become necessary to protect a private inholding located on the Yukon River across from Biederman Bluff that is currently 3.3 miles from the fire."
NPS says the historic Slaven's Roadhouse is just 10 miles west of the fire.