While checking out reports of smoke from motorists driving the Dalton Highway Sunday afternoon, BLM Alaska Fire Service personnel aboard an airplane found three lightning-caused fires burning to the east of the highway. The Kanuti River Fire (#185), the Arctic Circle Fire (#187) and the Olsons Lake Fire (#188) are burning on BLM-managed land within 7 miles of the Dalton Highway. The Kanuti River Fire and the Olsons Lake fire are burning closer to the Kanuti River crossing at 106 milepost while the Arctic Circle Fire is farther north at about 110 milepost. All are burning in a limited management option area and are not currently threatening any valuable sites. They were put in monitor status.
The Kanuti River Fire was estimated at 10 acres, the Olsons Lake Fire was estimated at 25 acres and the Arctic Circle Fire was estimated at 5 acres. All were reported as smoldering and creeping in tundra.
Dalton Highway motorists may continue to see smoke from these fires.
For more information, contact BLM AFS Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen at (907)356-5510.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 