As of 5 p.m. Saturday, there were 164 active wildfires statewide with two new starts in the past 24 hours. So far, 324 fires have burned 536,658 acres across Alaska. Brief updates are provided for Saturday’s staffed fires within the BLM Alaska Fire Service protection area.
Deep (#213) – Smoke was observed in the interior of the fire during a reconnaissance flight Friday evening. This increase in activity was likely caused by the heavy drying winds that also happened Friday. As of Saturday, the fire was creeping and smoldering with about 10% of the perimeter active. Crews will continue to monitor the fire while maintaining structure protection efforts. The fire is 6 miles southwest of the community of Lake Minchumina. It is estimated at 16,744 acres with 55 people assigned.
Fickett (#301) – As of Saturday, crews have demobilized from the fire, which is about 15 miles southwest of Bettles and is estimated to be 26 acres. This is the final update for the Fickett Fire.
Naluk (#209) – A break in the weather on Friday allowed for the demobilization of 12 smokejumpers from Kiana to Galena. Those smokejumpers are scheduled to fly back to Fairbanks on Saturday to prepare for their next assignment. The Burns Helitack Crew remains in Kiana and is still assigned to the Naluk Fire. The fire is about 20 miles north of Selawik in the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge and is estimated at 15,338 acres.
Main (#240) – Friday’s break in overcast weather brought an increase fire behavior. During a reconnaissance flight Friday, the crew observed smoke on the perimeter and southern end of the fire. As of Saturday, the fire has remained in current footprint as a result of the previous wetting rains. Firefighters continue to improve existing fuel breaks and focus on structure protection near Poorman Road and Boston Creek. The BLM Alaska Fire Service Midnight Sun Hotshots landed in Ruby today to assist in firefighting efforts. The fire is 11 miles southwest of Ruby and is estimated at 19,952 acres with 63 people assigned.
Deception Pup (#252) –With continued overcast weather and cooler weather Saturday, crews continued to grid the fire in preparation for expected demobilization. The fire is about 3 miles west of Central and is estimated at 121 acres with 57 people assigned.
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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 