Interior Alaska has been extremely dry this summer with very little precipitation.
The best indicator of the number of fires and how quickly they burn is called the Buildup Index (BUI), which measures the moisture content of natural fuels. Hot summer days and rapid drying conditions elevate BUI. Deeper layers of the organic material on top of the soil (duff layer) are drying significantly, making fire more difficult to contain. BUI levels in the South Central portion of the state are now at record levels, contributing to the large number of fires currently burning. In these conditions, it will take several days of rain totaling more than one inch to slow fire growth.
Information source: Alaska Interagency Coordination Center Predictive Services
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 