Wildfires Update

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Steve Brawn

Story Created: Jul 9, 2009 at 10:00 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Jul 14, 2009 at 10:51 AM AKDT

While Alaska tourists and residents alike are enjoying the warm, dry weather this summer, it is making for nearly perfect conditions for wildfires.

Several large wildfires are burning in Alaska. One of those, the Railroad Complex fire in interior Alaska, is actually three fires, and by far the state's largest at 156,343 acres.

Gary Lehnhausen with the state Division of Forestry says most fire suppression resources are being put on the smallest of those fires. The June Creek fire south of Nenana is just 360 acres but fire officials hope to stop it before it grows.

Lehnhausen said he expected "extreme fire behavior" on Monday
with the fire situation worsening in the afternoon.

Skies are hazy in some areas, including at two national parks, where views are being periodically obscured by smoke.