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BLM AFS Smokejumpers make season’s first jump on wildfire near Central

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A dark burned patch of land next to a roadway with mountains in the background.
This photo of the Crooked Fire was taken from a helicopter at 9:30 p.m. on May 17, 2025 not long before the fire was considered contained. BLM AFS photo.

Update for May 18, 2025: Firefighters—including 12 BLM AFS smokejumpers, a BLM AFS helicopter crew, and an Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection engine crew — contained the Crooked Fire at approximately 25 acres Saturday night. The smokejumpers remained on scene overnight to continue efforts to fully extinguish the fire. They expect to complete mop-up and demobilize Monday.

Note: date smokejumpers anticipate completing work was updated.

Original information on May 17, 2025:

Smoke billows up from a forested area with snow-speckled mountains in the background. The engine and wing of a plane are in this photo taken from the open doorway of an airplane.
The Crooked Fire (#073), estimated at 15 acres and burning about 7.5 miles west of Central, just south of Mile 117.5 on the Steese Highway on May 17, 2025. It was threatening campers and heavy equipment nearby. Photo by Collin Logoyda, Alaska Smokejumper

The Crooked Fire (#073), estimated at 15 acres and burning about 7.5 miles west of Central, just south of Mile 117.5 on the Steese Highway. It was threatening campers and heavy equipment nearby. The fire was reported Saturday morning by someone in the area who saw it burning in grass and shrubs, with some isolated torching of black spruce.

Twelve BLM Alaska Fire Service smokejumpers are working to fully suppress the fire, supported by a BLM AFS helicopter dropping water using large buckets suspended beneath the aircraft by cables. The buckets are dipped into nearby water sources to cool hot spots and slow the fire’s spread. An Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection engine drove from Fairbanks to assist. As of this afternoon, they were making good progress calming the fire.

Smoke may be visible to motorists along the Steese Highway. Please use caution when driving through the area and watch for firefighters and equipment.

The Crooked Fire is burning in a Modified Management Option area, which may be managed like a Full Protection area early in the season. As summer wanes and days grow shorter, these areas can shift to Limited — even if fire activity remains elevated due to persistent dry conditions.

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

Map showing the Steese Highway with a red dot marking the Crooked Fire No. 072 south of the road the runs east to west. A large dusty-colored area marks where there is a campground with some heavy equipment parked west of the fire and south of the road.
The Crooked Fire (#073), estimated at 15 acres and burning about 7.5 miles west of Central, just south of Mile 117.5 on the Steese Highway. It was threatening campers and heavy equipment nearby.
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Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service

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