A red flag warning is in effect today, June 27, from 10 a.m. through 10 p.m. High lightning activity is forecast over dry fuels, with high potential for new fires to start. Hot, dry, windy conditions are expected to cause large fire growth.
As of noon on Thursday, there were 133 active wildfires statewide, with 20 new starts in the past 24 hours. So far, 265 fires have burned 225,539 acres across Alaska. Brief updates are provided for the staffed fires in northwestern Alaska, within BLM Alaska Fire Service’s protection area.
Deep (#213) – Despite aggressive efforts from air resources and hard work from firefighters on the ground, dry fuels and hot weather fostered substantial fire growth on Wednesday afternoon, with running, torching, and spotting. The fire outgrew the capabilities of available ground and air resources. Firefighters pulled back and are applying a point protection strategy, first focusing on structures on the south side of Lake Minchumina. This lightning-caused fire is currently estimated at 1,500 acres, approximately 8 miles southwest of the community at Lake Minchumina.
East Twin (#238) – The Tanana Chiefs Type 2 Initial Attack Fire Crew based in Tok continued increasing the width of the fireline and mopping up, searching for heat within the fire perimeter. The fire is estimated at 75% containment on Thursday morning. Revised mapping calculated the fire area at 9 acres. This fire is located approximately 90 miles southwest of Fairbanks and about 45 miles east of Clear Airport.
Little Black (#223) The fire is spreading to the north, south, and west amidst red flag weather conditions. On Thursday afternoon it was estimated at 1,186 acres. High temperatures, gusty winds, and lightning are favorable for fire growth. On Wednesday, the Clear Water Crew joined smokejumpers working on this fire. They are an Alaska-based contract hand crew from Mountain Village, St. Mary’s, Pilot Station, and Marshall. Firefighters are protecting cabins, Native allotments, and other values at risk. Aviation resources are also providing ongoing support to this operation, located approximately 19 miles southwest of Shungnak.
Naluk (#209) – A thunderstorm moved through the fire area last night, increasing fire activity and size. The fire is estimated to be 2,853 acres, with continued high potential for growth. Fuels are very dry and receptive to ignition. High temperatures, gusty winds, and yet more lightning could exacerbate fire activity. Firefighters continue working on point protection for important values at risk, such as structures and the airstrip at the Potato Farm Homestead. They are working on clearing around culturally important structures and setting up pumps and hoses. A helicopter module is based in Kiana to support firefighting operations. This fire is located about 20 miles north of Selawik, within the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge.
McDonald (#119) – The McDonald fire is burning east of Fairbanks along the Tanana River. Fire behavior was quite active Wednesday. Crews are continuing to secure the fire edge and complete indirect line construction on the south side of the fire to reduce the threat to structures. A module and one engine are patrolling the Richardson Highway and adjacent communities. The fire is estimated at over 107,390 acres and has 83 personnel on scene. Additional details can be found on the Daily Update.
Globe (#253) – Firefighting resources, including six smokejumpers, and aerial water scoopers were deployed to provide point protection Wednesday evening. Nine more smokejumpers were dispatched via ground. The fire size is estimated to be over 1500-acres with 19 personnel on scene. Big Bear and Lassen Hotshots will arrive at the fire by the end of today’s shift. Fire behavior is active and road closures and evacuations are in effect. Further information will be released as situation evolves.
The Idaho Great Basin Type 3 Incident Management Team has been dispatched from the Lower 48 to manage five lightning-caused fires on the Upper Yukon Zone:
Deception Pup (#252) – Fire behavior observed was moderate with creeping and smoldering. Crews completed sawline and laying hose around the fire`s perimeter. Water pumps were installed at the front and back of the fire to prepare for water application. Fire is located west of Central, Alaska adjacent to Crooked Creek. The fire was estimated at 150 acres with 23 personnel.
Flasco (#259) – Despite the hot, dry, and windy conditions the fire experienced little growth. Fire behavior observed was creeping with 2-foot flame lengths in tundra and is burning hot and deep within the spruce understory. Smokejumpers worked to put in fireline, with the help of aerial resources dropping water. Six additional smokejumpers, two single engine water scoopers, air attack, and two Alaska Fire Service helicopters responded. Smokejumpers will continue to work on containment. Fire is south of Circle, Alaska, west of the Yukon River. The fire was estimated at 7 acres with 14 personnel on scene.
American (#262) – Fire had 20% active perimeter and smoldering, creeping, and backing. The fire was burning in black spruce and white spruce. Weather had wind out of the east, with 0% cloud cover. Fire is located in the White Mountains. The fire is estimated at 450 acres and is being monitored.
Crazy (#153) – The fire is estimated at 329 acres and is being monitored. Fire is located in the West Crazy Mountains, north of the White Mountains.
Ikheejik (#184) – The fire is estimated at 35 acres and is being monitored. Fire is located southeast of Circle, Alaska, east of Birch Creek.
-BLM-
Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Service, P.O. Box 35005,
1541 Gaffney Road, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
Need public domain imagery to complement news coverage of the BLM Alaska Fire Service in Alaska?
Visit our Flickr channel!
Learn more at www.blm.gov/AlaskaFireService, and on Facebook and Twitter.
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: AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 