Update at 9:10 p.m. (last update for Monday)
BLM Alaska Fire Service deployed smokejumpers and two water-scooping airplanes on two new lightning-caused fires burning north of the Tanana River Monday evening.
Six smokejumpers and two Fire Boss airplanes were working on the Moose Fire (#200) burning near mile 100 Elliott Highway and another six smokejumpers were deployed the Boulder Creek (#195) burning near mining infrastructure about 17 miles northwest of Manley Hot Springs. The dozen smokejumpers were delivered by the same aircraft.
The two fires were among about 30 new fires in Interior Alaska Monday, triggered by a lightning event that produced about 16,100 strikes across Alaska as of 9:10 p.m.
The Moose Fire was about 2-5 acres in size and burning right beside the Elliott Highway. It was reported as having a 75% active perimeter, but was creeping and backing with a low to moderate rate of spread.
The Boulder Fire was reported at about 2 acres and smoldering in a mixture of tundra, spruce and hardwoods.
They were among 14 new wildfires ignited in the area in between Minto, Tanana and north to the Ray Mountains. The other dozen fires were not immediately threatening any sites of value and will be reevaluated on Tuesday.
Original information at 6 p.m.
BLM Alaska Fire Service is fielding numerous reports of new lightning-caused fires in Interior Alaska Monday afternoon, including one wildfire reported just north of Mile 100 of the Elliott Highway. However, none appear to be immediately threatening any sites of value and most are plotting in remote parts of Alaska.
BLM AFS personnel aboard an airplane checking on the fire reports in the area surrounding Tanana and Manley Hot Springs reported smoke from the Moose Fire (Fire #200) was drifting over the road, but the fire was not immediately threatening any knowns sites of value. It was reported as four acres in size and burning in a mixture of spruce and hardwoods.
BLM AFS dispatch centers have fielded numerous other reports of new fires this afternoon. BLM AFS personnel have spotted additional fires while out on flights to check on these fire reports. We’ll have more updates on the new fires within BLM AFS protection area that covers the northern half of the state.
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning effective from 1 p.m. Monday, July 24 until 4 a.m. Tuesday, July 25 for the Central Interior, Yukon Flats, Deltana & Tanana Flats.
Almost 7,000 lightning strikes have been recorded across Alaska by 5:40 p.m. today. Some of those have resulted in new fire starts in Interior Alaska. The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection is responding to two new fires near Salcha and Delta Junction.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 