As of 5 p.m. Thursday, there were 165 active wildfires statewide, with 6 new starts in the past 24 hours. So far, 323 fires have burned 538,273 acres across Alaska. Brief updates are provided for Thursday’s staffed fires within the BLM Alaska Fire Service’s protection area.
Deep (#213) – Crews continued to monitor fire spread and reinforce existing fire contingency lines on Thursday. The crews are also continuing to test and improve established hose lines being used for structure protection. Rainfall predicted through Thursday and Friday is expected to further slow the progression of the Deep Fire. The fire is 6 miles southwest of the community of Lake Minchumina. It is estimated at 16,744 acres with 52 people assigned.
Lookout (#300) – After a thorough search of the area, there appears to be no residual heat from the fire on Thursday. With continued overcast weather, firefighters are set to demobilize as weather allows. The fire is about 16 miles southwest of Bettles and is estimated to be 9 acres with eight people assigned.
Fickett (#301) – With continued cooler and overcast weather Thursday, smokejumpers are continuing to mop up and watch for the fire’s interior for hotspots. There was no fire growth, and the fire was 50% contained at end of shift Thursday. The fire is about 15 miles southwest of Bettles and is estimated to be 26 acres with eight people assigned.
Fork (#316) – As of Thursday, an Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection engine crew continues to monitor the fire to protect military infrastructure and the utility corridor. Weather in the area is remaining cooler and overcast and has decreased fire activity. The fire is about 25 miles northeast of Salcha and with more precise mapping is estimated to be estimated at 260 acres, with 3 people are assigned.
Naluk (#209) – As of Thursday, the fire received 3 to 4 inches of rain in the last 48 hours with more rain over the area throughout the day, allowing for minimal fire behavior. Smokejumpers are set to be demobilized when weather allows, while Oregon’s Burns Helitack Crew will remain to monitor the fire lines around nearby structures and Native allotments. The fire is about 20 miles north of Selawik in the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge and is estimated at 15,330 acres with 24 people assigned.
Main (#240) – On Thursday, the Clear Water Crew, a local Alaska Type 2 hand crew, worked on allotment assessments and structure protection while the Slide Type 2 Hand Crew and 10 smokejumpers will be arriving in Ruby. The Midnight Sun Hotshot Crew will also be arriving in Ruby on Friday. The northwest edge of the fire remains active with slight eastern growth, but terrain and increased rain is anticipated to slow down future growth. The fire is 11 miles southwest of Ruby and is estimated at 19,952 acres with 32 people assigned.
Hawk (#334) – As of Thursday, crews have been demobilized from fire. The fire is about 90 miles southeast of Selawik and is estimated at 50 acres.
Roundabout (#337) – As of Thursday, firefighters have been demobilized from fire. The fire is about 130 miles southeast of Selawik within the Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge and is estimated at 30 acres.
Hat Lie (#330) – As of Thursday, firefighters have been demobilized from fire. The fire is about 7 miles northeast of Birch Creek, and 19 miles southwest of Fort Yukon, and is estimated at 2 acres.
Deception Pup (#252) – The fire received very light rain in the last 24 hours while crews continued mop-up and gridding efforts Thursday. Gridding is when a crew searches the area for hotspots by systematically traveling on parallel courses or gridlines. The fire is located 3 miles west of Central and is estimated at 121 acres.
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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, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 