Conditions are favorable for fire growth, with hot weather and dry fuels. A red flag warning is in effect from 10 a.m. through 10 p.m on Thursday. Frequent lightning is forecast over dry fuels. Hot, dry, windy conditions will increase the potential for significant wildfire behavior.
As of noon on Wednesday, there were 127 active wildfires statewide, with 20 new starts in the past 24 hours. So far, 248 fires have burned 139,001 acres across Alaska. Brief updates for six staffed fires in northwestern Alaska, within BLM Alaska Fire Service’s protection area.
Deep (#213) – The Alaska-based contract hand crew, Mooseheart, arrived on the fire today, joining the Big Bear Hotshots from California as well as Grangeville Helitack, and the Alaska-based K-River #1 contract hand crew. In recent days, firefighters made excellent progress cutting fireline and installing hose around the perimeter of the fire. However, activity picked up on the fire this afternoon. Water scooping planes and helicopters with buckets are working to moderate fire activity. This lightning-caused fire is burning about 8 miles southwest of the community at Lake Minchumina and is estimated at 322 acres.
East Twin (#238) – The Tanana Chiefs Type 2 Initial Attack Fire Crew based in Tok replaced the smokejumpers on the fire on Tuesday afternoon. Firefighters have cut a fireline and completed a hose lay around the perimeter of the 7-acre fire to pump water and cool down the edges. Crews continue improving the width of the fireline and mopping up. This fire is located approximately 90 miles southwest of Fairbanks and about 45 miles east of Clear Airport.
Tekeaksakrak (#222) Smokejumpers and water-scooping aircraft were successful in moderating fire activity. Containment work is complete, and smokejumpers will demobilize or shift to other assignments. The fire was estimated at 276 acres, approximately 10 miles southwest of Shungnak.
Little Black (#223) Five smokejumpers shifted from Tekeaksakrak (#222) to this fire today, which was detected on June 22. It was caused by a lightning strike and has seen substantial growth in recent days to the north and west, with dry conditions favorable for fire growth. An Alaska-based contract hand crew and air support have been requested to assist with this operation, located approximately 19 miles southwest of Shungnak.
Naluk (#209) – The fire is estimated to be almost 1,500 acres, with high potential for growth due to weather conditions and dry fuels, including tundra and black spruce. High temperatures and wind remain the primary concerns for firefighters assessing and working on point protection for nearby Native allotments and other important values at risk, such as the Potato Farm Homestead. Additional initial attack qualified firefighters and a helicopter module have been requested, as well as air resources. This fire is located about 20 miles north of Selawik, within the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge.
Yuki (#200) – Mop-up operations are wrapping up on this fire 22 miles southwest of Ruby, with firefighter demobilization scheduled this afternoon.
-BLM-
Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Service, P.O. Box 35005 1541 Gaffney Road, Fort Wainwright, Ak 99703
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The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (AFS) located at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, provides wildland fire suppression services for over 240 million acres of Department of the Interior and Native Corporation Lands in Alaska. In addition, AFS has other statewide responsibilities that include: interpretation of fire management policy; oversight of the BLM Alaska Aviation program; fuels management projects; and operating and maintaining advanced communication and computer systems such as the Alaska Lightning Detection System. AFS also maintains a National Incident Support Cache with a $18.1 million inventory. The Alaska Fire Service provides wildland fire suppression services for America’s “Last Frontier” on an interagency basis with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Military in Alaska.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 