As of 5.p.m. on Tuesday, there were 172 active wildfires statewide, with 18 new starts in the past 24 hours. So far, 315 fires have burned 461,652 acres across Alaska. Brief updates are provided for todays staffed fires within the BLM Alaska Fire Service’s protection area.
Deep (#213) – Crews are making progress setting up sprinkler systems and getting structures prepped. The fire made some movement to the north, towards Lake Minchumina on Monday. The fire is now in an area that previously burned in 2015, which is helping slow its progress. The fire is located approximately 6 miles southwest of the community of Lake Minchumina and is estimated at 13,769 acres, with 45 personnel on scene.
Lookout (#300) – Grangeville Helitack continued gridding and mopping-up the fire Tuesday. Gridding is when a crew searches the area for hotspots by systematically traveling on parallel courses or gridlines. At the end of shift Monday, the fire was 20% contained. The fire is located approximately 16 miles southwest of Bettles and is estimated to be 9 acres, with eight personnel on scene.
Fickett (#301) – Smokejumpers continued mop up operations Tuesday. The fire was 40% contained by the end of shift Monday. Firefighters will continue with gridding and mop-up operations in anticipation of a weather event that will bring increased winds and potential rain to the fire area. The fire is located approximately 15 miles southwest of Bettles and is estimated to be 23 acres, with eight personnel on scene.
Fork (#316) – An Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection engine is patrolling the area to protect military infrastructure and the utility corridor. A plan is in place to clear vegetation from around the power lines. The fire is located approximately 25 miles northeast of Salcha, Alaska and is estimated to be 1,000 acres.
Naluk (#209) – Fire saw large growth Tuesday, from hot and dry weather. Tuesday brought cooler temperatures and moisture on the fire. Firefighters will continue to work to protect nearby structures and allotments as conditions allow. Fire is located about 20 miles north of Selawik in the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge and is estimated at 14,000 acres with 24 personnel on scene.
Main (#240) – Fire is approximately 8,000 acres, with a column of smoke visible from Ruby. While the northwest edge of the fire remains active, terrain and riparian areas are slowing growth of the fire to the east. The Clear Water Crew, a local Alaska Type 2 Hand Crew with firefighters assembled from St. Mary’s, Pilot Station, Marshall and Pitka’s Point, and two BLM AFS firefighters arrived in Ruby Tuesday to begin assessments. Two additional crews are set to arrive later this week. The fire is located 11 miles southwest of Ruby and is estimated at 9,250 acres.
Hawk (#334) – Fire received moisture from storms Tuesday. Smokejumpers completed prepping structures and are set to be demobilize. The Fire is located about 90 miles southeast of Selawik and is estimated at 50 acres with four personnel on scene.
Roundabout (#337) – Monday, eight smokejumpers were deployed and water scooping aircraft assisted the firefighters in their efforts to establish a fire containment line. The fire is burning in tundra, brush, and black spruce. Smokejumpers will continue to work on containment today. The fire is located about 130 miles southeast of Selawik within the Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge and is estimated at 30 acres with eight personnel on scene.
Hat Lie (#330) – Ten smokejumpers completed a hose-lay around the fire perimeter and began securing the fire edge. This fire is in an area that is considered full protection which provides for the protection of moderately populated areas, cultural and paleontological sites, developed recreational facilities, physical developments, administrative sites and cabins, structures, high-value natural resources, and other high-value areas. The fire is located about 7 miles northeast of Birch Creek, Alaska, and 19 miles southwest of Fort Yukon, and is estimated at 2 acres with 10 personnel on scene.
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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.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 