More firefighters will join the efforts on a tundra fire burning 17 miles north of Russian Mission after it grew to an estimated 700 acres Tuesday night. The BLM Alaska Fire Service Midnight Sun Interagency Hotshot Crew is mobilizing to help the eight smokejumpers and three aircraft that started working on the Koyukutuk River Fire (#224) this morning. The wind shifted on the fire Tuesday afternoon and pushed the fire south through tundra grass, quickly increasing the number of acres burned by about 500 and pushing it toward populated areas along the Yukon River. There are no structures immediately threatened. The eight smokejumpers furiously worked on the ground while Fire Boss airplanes dropped water to slow the fire’s progress. Other firefighting personnel flew above the fire area coordinating the suppression efforts. All were back at it again Wednesday morning after the fire remained active overnight accounting for additional growth. The fire is still 12-15 northwest of a camp on the Yukon River where there are 80 people, including approximately 40 children, attending a retreat. This lightning-caused fire is also 20 miles northeast of Marshall. The fire is burning 5-1/2 miles northeast of the river where it gets its name and is burning four miles from the border of the Yukon-Delta National Wildlife Refuge.
People in Saint Mary’s will see an uptick in firefighters and aircraft while the crew shuttles to the fire. Afterward, helicopter operations will be based in Russian Mission.
Meanwhile the North Star Fire Crew, the BLM AFS training crew, will spend a few days mopping-up the Inglutalik River Fire (#232) near Koyuk after smokejumpers caught it at 80 acres Wednesday morning. The eight smokejumpers will be released after the fire is considered contained and they’ll be replaced by the North Star Crew, tentatively planned for tomorrow afternoon. This will make the smokejumpers available for future initial attack needs on new starts as many areas in Alaska become warmer and drier in the upcoming days.
For more information, contact BLM AFS Public Affairs Specialist (907)356-5510 or eipsen@blm.gov.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 