Fire activity across Interior Alaska is on the increase Saturday afternoon due to hot, dry and windy conditions. Firefighters, aircraft and helicopters are all being utilized to protect people and property. Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches remain in place in many areas in Interior Alaska until Saturday or Sunday evening.
There have been 301 fires covering 76,842 acres recorded in the state in 2023 as of 6 p.m. Saturday. Of those, 102 fires totaling 28,394 acres have occurred within the northern half of the state in the protection area of the BLM Alaska Fire Service.
The North Star Crew arrived at the Wood Fire (#330) Saturday afternoon. They will join, rather than replace, the 8 smokejumpers who jumped the fire which was reported Thursday afternoon. The firefighters are being supported by a helicopter based out of Chicken. The 200-acre fire is burning north of the Top of the World Highway and northwest of the Poker Creek Port of Entry on border with Yukon Territory. Firefighters are working to protect structures and equipment in the area and develop a more accurate map.
The eight smokejumpers assigned to the Ch`idriinjik Fire (#315) southwest of Venetie were released and transported back to Fort Wainwright Saturday, while the three smokejumpers on the Lower Birch Fire (#291) east of Beaver are slated to be released on Sunday.
For more information contact Public Information Officer Al Nash at 907-356-5510.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 