Temperatures are rising in Interior Alaska and so is the fire danger. After a wetter than usual spring and most of summer, the ground layers and vegetation are drying out and becoming more susceptible to burning. Coupled with a forecast of increased winds, the fire season could see another spike in activity.
Of the 136 active fires burning across Alaska, 56 are within the 191.5 million-acre BLM AFS protection area that covers the northern half of the state. If things go according to plans, only three fires will be staffed at the end of Wednesday. That could change if new fires are discovered or if existing fires begin to threaten known sites of value, as has been the case for the past few nights.
Eight smokejumpers were dispatched Tuesday evening to a fire on the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge. The Ch`idriinjik Fire (#315) was first reported 15 miles southwest of Venetie on Monday. It is burning in black spruce within a mile of Native allotments and a cabin, but was reported at less than an acre in size.
On Tuesday, a spotter on the smokejumper plane overhead observed group torching as the fire began growing to the northeast. With help from large bucket drops of water from a helicopter, the smokejumpers were able to construct a control line around the fire. They also began using pumps and laying hose along the fire perimeter. As of Wednesday morning, the fire was reported at 6.5 acres.
Meanwhile, firefighters are being pulled off three other fires.
The 10-person all-women’s Student Conservation Association crew out of the Alaska National Parks is leaving the Ikheenjik Fire (#234), which will be placed in monitor status at 75 acres. They’ll get to spend a night in Fort Wainwright. On Thursday, they’ll join the four firefighters that just arrived at the Kocacho Fire (#292) burning about 13 miles southeast of Venetie near a creek that shares its name.
Firefighters are in the process of being released from two 5-acre fires Wednesday evening – the Vigor Fire (#298) near the Tolovana Hot Springs and the Brooks Fire (#284) near Livengood. The BLM Type 2 contract Mooseheart Crew with firefighters from Tanana and Minto were on the Vigor Fire but will be reassigned to the Mosquito Creek Fire (#290) burning near Harding Lake.
Contact BLM AFS Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen at 907-356-5510 or eipsen@blm.gov for more information.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 