A wildfire in Alaska’s interior has forced the closure of Denali National Park and disrupted operations for Holland America Line and Princess Cruises resorts in the region.
The Riley Fire, which has spread to approximately 388 acres as of July 3, has led to the closure of Denali National Park to visitors. Firebreaks have so far protected the park’s entrance from the blaze.
Holland America Line announced on X that power outages are currently affecting guests at its McKinley Chalet Resort. The cruise line is reaching out to affected guests to inform them of any changes to their plans.
The Riley Fire was first reported on Sunday afternoon and has since grown to over 350 acres, according to the Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service. As of Monday night, the fire was 5% contained.
The park’s entrance remains closed, and the McKinley Chalet Resort is experiencing service disruptions due to regional power outages. Holland America Line has assured that there is no threat to the safety of guests, staff, or the property while local authorities work to restore power. It is unclear if any guests are still at the resort.
For guests scheduled to arrive within the next week, Holland America Line is evaluating whether cruise tours can proceed.
Princess Cruises has closed its Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, and Fairbanks Wilderness Lodge to all new guests arriving through July 5 for land-only bookings.
