Bear Creek Fire Close Call 2025

Bear Creek Fire, Alaska, June 20 2025

At 1738, the IC relays to Dispatch that fire behavior has increased and it is no longer an option to be extracted by helicopter. Firefighters move with purpose toward a wet drainage to stay ahead of the fire. The IC gives Dispatch their general location and destination and asks for retardant, helicopter, and Air Attack.
Around 1802, multiple aircraft are diverted from other incidents to respond to what is referenced as an “Emergency Situation”. As the fire grew aggressively, the jumpers were moving away from the active fire with purpose and, at approximately 1830, they eventually assembled in a hardwood patch as the fire flanked them.