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Residents between mile 41-43 Elliott Highway told to evacuate ahead of Globe Fire

By BLM Alaska Fire Service on June 26, 2024

Flames and a large column of smoke rising off of a burning forest. — The Globe Fire as seen from an aircraft flying over the fast-moving fire at 7:36 p.m. on June 26, 2024. Photo by Ryan McPherson, BLM AFS

Residents along the Elliott Highway were asked to evacuate on Wednesday as the Globe Fire (#253) rapidly approached between mileposts 41 and 43.

The fire, burning through black spruce, was reported to be about a mile from the nearest structure. Residents in the area, as well as Department of Transportation & Public Facilities work camps, were asked to evacuate due to the encroaching flames.

By Wednesday night, the fire had grown to more than 1,300 acres and was continuing to expand.

Burning parallel to the road near milepost 42, the fire could potentially reach the highway between mileposts 37 and 52 by Thursday. Alaska State Troopers were dispatched Wednesday night to assist with traffic control and notify residents within the evacuation zone. Traffic delays are expected along this section of the road due to fire activity.

The Globe Fire was initially reported on Tuesday as a 1-acre fire with no open flames and minimal smoke, located in a limited management area and monitored. However, by Wednesday night, it had grown significantly, threatening several homes and Native allotments along the highway. Six smokejumpers were deployed to protect these areas but faced challenges as shifting winds pushed the fire towards the highway. Thunderstorms in the area created erratic wind conditions.

Aircraft, including an air retardant tanker, two large water scoopers, and four single-engine water scoopers, were deployed to slow the fire’s spread. Their efforts were hampered by smoke reducing visibility.

Nine additional smokejumpers and two Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection engines were responding to the area Wednesday night. For the safety of firefighting personnel and equipment, drivers are urged to slow down when traveling through the affected area.

For more information, contact BLM AFS Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen at (907) 356-5510 or eipsen@blm.gov.

A map showing the Globe Fire (#253) burning north of the Elliott Highway on June 26, 2024.Click on this link for a PDF version of the map.

-BLM-

Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Service, P.O. Box 35005 1541 Gaffney Road, Fort Wainwright, Ak 99703

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The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (AFS) located at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, provides wildland fire suppression services for over 240 million acres of Department of the Interior and Native Corporation Lands in Alaska. In addition, AFS has other statewide responsibilities that include: interpretation of fire management policy; oversight of the BLM Alaska Aviation program; fuels management projects; and operating and maintaining advanced communication and computer systems such as the Alaska Lightning Detection System. AFS also maintains a National Incident Support Cache with a $18.1 million inventory. The Alaska Fire Service provides wildland fire suppression services for America’s “Last Frontier” on an interagency basis with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Military in Alaska.