10 p.m. June 27, update: Erratic winds and hot, dry weather caused the Globe Fire to grow rapidly Thursday as firefighters concentrate on protecting people and property along the Elliott Highway about 50 miles north of Fairbanks. The flames, driven through black spruce, reached the highway, directly threatening Native allotments, homes, and campgrounds, and crossed the road at mile 39 near Globe Creek Campground Thursday.
A large column of smoke collapsed around midday Thursday, blanketing the area with hot air, smoke, and ash. Smokejumpers initially pulled back for safety but eventually re-engaged to protect people and property.
The fire is estimated at 5,457 acres based on satellite imagery. Heavy smoke made ground or aerial surveys impossible and flying aircraft to support suppression efforts too hazardous.
Some smokejumpers set up sprinkler systems to protect the campground, while others checked on residents who stayed to defend their homes. As of 8:30 p.m., no structures had been reported lost.
Two Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection engines are patrolling the area and assisting with structure protection.
The Lassen Hotshots and Big Bear Hotshots, experienced crews from northern California, arrived Thursday night. Fire managers are ordering additional firefighters and equipment.
5 p.m. June 27: A road closure is in place for mileposts 28-48, and a GO evacuation order is issued for residents within mileposts 39-48.Update 11:29 a.m. June 27: The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities has issued a road closure of the Elliott Highway between milepost 28-48 due to an increase in wildfire activity. The Globe Fire grew significantly and has reached the road. More information will be posted when it become available. Check https://511.alaska.gov/ for road closure updates.
11:30 a.m.: The GO order to evacuate has been extended to milepost 39-48 Thursday morning due to the increase in fire activity on the Globe Fire as it pushes closer to the Elliott Highway. The fire was estimated within a half a mile from the road and burning through continuous black spruce trees.
The fire was reported to be about a mile from the nearest structure Wednesday night. Residents in the area, as well as Department of Transportation & Public Facilities work camps, were asked to evacuate due to the encroaching flames Wednesday. The evacuation is now extended.
Some things to consider bring when evacuating to a safe location:
- People
- Pets
- Prescriptions
- Personal computer
- Paperwork
- Photos
- Phone and charge cord.
By Wednesday night, the fire had grown to more than 1,300 acres and was continuing to expand.
Burning parallel to the road near milepost 42, the fire could potentially reach the highway between mileposts 37 and 52 by Thursday. Alaska State Troopers were dispatched Wednesday night to assist with traffic control and notify residents within the evacuation zone. Traffic delays are expected along this section of the road due to fire activity.
The Globe Fire was initially reported on Tuesday as a 1-acre fire with no open flames and minimal smoke, located in a limited management option area and was put in monitor status. However, by Wednesday night, it had grown significantly, threatening several homes and Native allotments along the highway. Smokejumpers and aircraft were deployed to protect these areas and will continue those efforts Thursday. They face challenges as shifting winds push the fire towards the highway. Thunderstorms in the area created erratic wind conditions and are forecasted to continue Thursday with gusty easterly winds.
For more information, contact BLM AFS Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen at (97)356-5510 or eipsen@blm.gov.
Corrected to reflect evacuation is a GO for Milepost 39-48.
-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 