Smokejumpers and aircraft responded Monday evening to one of three new lightning-caused fires located about 2 miles east of Mile 54 on the Elliott Highway. Two small water-scooping airplanes, an air tanker dropping retardant, a helicopter, an air attack plane coordinating aerial operations, and smokejumpers are focusing on the largest of the three – the Bridge Fire (#141).

Multiple reports of smoke from drivers triggered a response from the BLM Alaska Fire Service. This was one of three new fires smokejumpers responded to Monday in BLM AFS’s protection area, as Alaska experiences a stretch of hot, dry weather and increased lightning activity across the state.

The Bridge Fire was estimated at about 20 acres, while the nearby Tatalina Fire (#148) and Trifecta Fire (#149) were each reported at less than half an acre and were significantly less active. Smokejumpers on the ground reported the Bridge Fire was quickly burning through predominately black spruce. They were working to lay hose around the most active part of the fire’s perimeter. The fire was burning on State of Alaska lands but was not immediately threatening any identified sites of value.

Eight smokejumpers and aircraft also responded to another wildfire burning north of the Steese Highway Monday afternoon. The lightning-caused Bachelor Fire (#135) was estimated at about 50 acres as of Monday evening after winds pushed it up a ridge through tundra grass and into a mix of black spruce and hardwood trees. Two small water-scooping airplanes and two helicopters equipped with large buckets suspended by cables dropped water on the flames while smokejumpers worked on the ground. The two airplanes were eventually released and reassigned to the Bridge Fire. Smokejumpers and helicopters were making good progress securing the active edge Monday evening, despite gusty, erratic winds.

Meanwhile, six smokejumpers are working on the lightning-caused Canyon Fire (#139), located north of Kiana. The fire was reported Monday afternoon through FAA flight services in Kotzebue. It’s reportedly burning in black spruce near ample water sources.

Smokejumpers are trying to suppress as it burns on an Alaska Native allotment and near a cabin. There are several Native allotments in the area. The fire is estimated at 2 acres.

More than 1,000 lightning strikes were recorded across Alaska on each of the past two days, sparking several new wildfires. As of 8 p.m. Monday, 22 new fires had been reported – some, but not all, caused by lightning. So far this year, 127 fires have burned an estimated 3,330 acres statewide.

That number may rise as more hot, dry weather with lightning is forecast in the coming days.

Fire managers from the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection and BLM Alaska Fire Service will conduct detection flights to look for holdover fires – blazes that smolder in the duff or ground layers for days before flaring up when conditions become warmer, drier, and windier.

To keep pace with the uptick in fire activity, Alaska fire managers are requesting more resources, including more 32 more smokejumpers, more water scoopers – both large and small – and air supervision aircraft and personnel to provide guidance from the skies.

Contact BLM AFS Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen at 907-356-5510 or eipsen@blm.gov for more information.

Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service