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White Mountains National Recreation Area reopens due to reduced wildfire activity from the Globe Fire

By BLM Alaska Fire Service on July 10, 2024

Fire closure order rescinded. Public access restored to popular trails and cabins near Wickersham Dome

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Due to reduced wildland fire activity associated with the Globe Fire (#253), the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Eastern Interior Field Office rescinded the fire closure for the western portion of the White Mountains National Recreation Area near the Wickersham Dome Trailhead at mile 28 of the Elliott Highway. The area will reopen at 12:00 p.m. today. There are no remaining public access closures for the White Mountains. Cooler, wet weather helped control fire activity, but visitors should remain alert for changes.

Visitors are encouraged to practice these outdoor fire safety principles: 

Make a fire only if you have sufficient water to put it out completely. 
Never leave a fire unattended.  
Keep fires small and manageable.  
Extinguish fires completely using the water, stir, water, repeat method. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave. Every campfire should be cold before leaving it.

Visitors should stay tuned to fire activity at akfireinfo.com and check for BLM Alaska fire restrictions website for current orders: https://www.blm.gov/programs/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/alaska-fire-service/fire-restrictions  

More information about fire prevention is available at https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/fire-prevention-education-mitigation.

Original order issued on June 28, 2024 – To protect the public and provide for firefighter safety in light of ongoing wildland fire activity associated with the Globe Fire (#253), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Eastern Interior Field Office is closing the western portion of the White Mountains National Recreation Area surrounding the Wickersham Dome Trailhead at mile 28 Elliott Highway. The closure goes into effect at midnight tonight and will remain in effect until September 1, unless the BLM determines the areas are safe for public use at an earlier time.

The Globe Fire was first reported on Tuesday as a 1-acre fire, and due to erratic winds and hot, dry weather, has grown to nearly 5,500 acres as of Thursday, leading to an evacuation notice for local residents. The weather forecast for the area includes extended hot and dry weather increasing the risks of new starts and large fire growth, raising continued concerns about public and firefighter safety.

The emergency closure announced today includes trails, public use cabins, trail shelters and the Wickersham Dome Trailhead (mile 28 Elliott Highway), which may be used as a base camp for firefighters nearby. A map of the closure area is posted online.

Closed BLM trails:

Wickersham Creek Trail
Trail Creek Trail (between the junction of Wickersham Creek Trail and the junction with Moose Creek Trail)
Moose Creek Trail
Summit Trail

Closed BLM public use cabins and shelters:

Lee’s Cabin
Eleazar’s Cabin
Moose Creek Cabin
Summit Trail Shelter
Wickersham Creek Trail Shelter

Until the BLM determines that use of these sites no longer threatens public or firefighter safety, the public should not use the area. Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both (43 CFR § 9212).

The BLM appreciates the public’s cooperation in helping to minimize the number of human-caused wildfires and keeping everyone safe if you encounter wildfire activity while traveling Alaska’s highways by following these tips:

Watch out for firefighters and firefighting equipment in and along the road.   
Slow down before entering areas of dense smoke. 
Make sure your headlights are on so that you are more visible to others.
To report a wildland fire in Alaska, call 1-800-237-3633 or 911.

For more information on this closure, please contact the BLM Eastern Interior Field Office at (907) 474-2200. Additional fire information can be found at www.akfireinfo.com or by calling the Alaska Interagency Fire Information Office at (907) 356-5511.

While the Wickersham Dome area is closed, the BLM manages other areas that remain open to the public, including hiking areas such as the Table Top Loop Trail or riding the Quartz Creek Trail in the Nome Creek Valley.

Medica contact: Teri Balser, tbalser@blm.gov, 907-474-2231.

-BLM-

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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.