9:30 p.m. June 28 update: For a second day in a row, smoke hampered aerial support for firefighters working to protect properties along the Elliott Highway from the Globe Fire. They not only contended with smoke from the more than 6,300-acre Globe Fire, but also with smoke drifting up from the roughly 7,000-acre Slate Fire, approximately 10 miles to the southwest.
The Lassen Hotshots are protecting structures on the west side of the road, while the Big Bear Hotshots cover the east side. Meanwhile, smokejumpers set up sprinklers that are continually watering the nearby Globe Creek Camp that is directly threatened by the fire. Firefighters are also assessing other properties to develop a plan to protect those farther out. There are about 73 personnel assigned to the fire including firefighters on three engines.
The section of the Elliott Highway near the Globe Fire reopened late Thursday night. Expect significant delays between mileposts 25-50 if fire activity increases as it did Thursday afternoon. Please exercise caution and patience and turn on your headlights to help ensure the safety of firefighters and flaggers working in the area. Check https://511.alaska.gov/ for road updates.
While the fire wasn’t exhibiting the extreme behavior it had the previous day, firefighters reported it’s still very active with group tree torching as it burned through pockets of black spruce. The fire continues to threaten numerous homes, the camp and Native allotments in the area.
The fire crossed north of Globe Creek Campground and south of a subdivision of homes, leaving structures intact. This section continues moving west.
BLM announced an emergency closure of the western portion of the White Mountains National Recreation Area due to the Globe Fire. The closure includes the western portion of the Area surrounding the Wickersham Dome Trailhead at mile 28 Elliott Highway. The closure goes into effect at midnight Thursday and will remain in effect until Sept. 1, unless the BLM determines the areas are safe for public use at an earlier time.
Elliott Highway reopens after a day of extreme fire behavior on Globe Fire
3 p.m. June 28 update: The section of the Elliott Highway near the Globe Fire reopened late Thursday night. Expect significant delays between mileposts 25-50 if fire activity increases as it did Thursday afternoon. Please exercise caution and patience, turn on your headlights to help ensure the safety of firefighters and flaggers working in the area.
Check https://511.alaska.gov/ for road updates.
The fire showed extreme behavior midday, burning through black spruce and crossing the road near mile 39. A large smoke column collapsed midday Thursday, creating hot air, smoke, and ash. Smokejumpers initially pulled back for safety but re-engaged as soon as possible to protect people and property. The fire was estimated at 6,333 acres Thursday evening. Heavy smoke prevented ground or aerial surveys and made flying aircraft for suppression efforts hazardous.
The fire crossed north of Globe Creek Campground and south of a subdivision, leaving structures intact. The west side of the fire received some rain Thursday evening, moderating fire behavior enough that firefighters, Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities contracted workers allowed a long line of motorists to get through the area after a long wait.
The area where the fire burned adjacent to the road is small. The fire will likely continue to impact the highway as fire activity increases with the weather warming later in the day. Firefighters, including the Lassen and Big Bear hotshots from California, are setting up protections for private properties, Native allotments, and a nearby campground. It is predicted to remain mostly hot and dry in the upcoming days, with evening thunderstorms and erratic winds. There are 70 firefighting and support people assigned to this fire including 19 smokejumpers, the two hotshot crews and two Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection engines.
Read the more information about the Globe Fire at https://akfireinfo.com/tag/globe-fire/.
For more information, call the Alaska Interagency Wildland Fire Information Office at (907)356-5511.
-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, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 