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The Hess Creek Fire is now the largest fire burning in the country.
The fire was mapped at 145,321 acres Sunday night, according to the Alaska wildfire information website. The blaze is continuing to advance toward the community of Livengood, where an inversion has trapped smoke in the area and surrounding valleys after the fire's massive growth from 115,000 acres on July 7.
Firefighters have been focusing efforts on conducting burnout operations for a second day, slowing the progression of the fire toward Livengood.