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Firefighters are responding to new fire along the Tanana River north of Mile Post 1365 Alaska Highway

By Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection on June 18, 2025

UPDATE 9:30 PM – The Billy Creek Fire (#189) is now estimated to be 15 acres. It continues to smolder with isolated torching. The two retardant tankers have returned to their base after making multiple drops, being able to load and return from the Tanacross Tanker Base. Pioneer Peak Hotshots arrived on the fire and helicopters have started shuttling them and the Tanana Chiefs Type 2 Initial Attack Crew to the fire. Both crews will overnight a safe distance from the fire to be in place to continue suppression efforts Thursday.

This will be last update for tonight. Go to AKFireInfo for continuing coverage of this fire and updates on fires across Alaska.

UPDATE 7:30 PM – The Billy Creek Fire (#189) is slowly spreading in all directions and is estimated to be 5 acres. Air Attack is over the fire coordinating response efforts. Helicopters continue to drop water on the fire. A third helicopter is en route from Copper River. The two water scoopers were diverted to a higher priority fire near Chicken.

While the helicopters refueled, clearing the airspace, 12 smokejumpers were deployed to the fire. They will start cutting out a landing zone for helicopters to begin shuttling members of the Tanana Chiefs Crew the fire. DOF Pioneer Peak Interagency Hotshot Crew is en route from Fairbanks. Retardant tankers T-544 and T-542 are dropping loads of retardant to box in the fire to slow its growth until firefighters start to work on the fire. The tankers are able refill with fuel and retardant at the Tanacross Tanker Base.

Map of fire with satellite imagery — Public Information map for Billy Creek Fire (#189) Wednesday, June 18, 2025. View/Download pdf of map.

UPDATE 4:30 pm — Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DOF) is responding to a new fire on the north side of the Tanana River, 3.25 miles north of Mile Post 1365 Alaska Highway near Dot Lake. Fire #189 was discovered by a passing single engine water scooping aircraft arriving in Alaska from the Lower 48.

DOF Helitack from both Tok and Delta are on scene and have deployed their firefighters and started bucket operations. Single engine water scooping aircraft and the Tanana Chiefs Crew are also starting to mobilize.

Smoke is visible from the Alaska Highway. Please do not call to report this fire.

More updates will be made here as information becomes available.