10 p.m., June 19 (last update for June 19) – BLM AFS has received numerous reports of new fires in the area. Two of the fires are located in remote areas outside of Central, while another is burning near Circle Hot Springs. A few smokejumpers working on the Deadwood Fire are attempting to reach the Ketchem Fire (#240), which is burning about half a mile from the nearest structure in a cluster of homes near the hot springs. It was reported at a quarter acre.
The other four fires are farther from structures but are large and active. The Turtle Fire (#243) and the Ikheenijik Fire (#242) have burned together and are estimated to be around 1,000 acres. They are burning approximately five miles east of Mile 137 on the Steese Highway.
6:30 p.m., June 19 Update: Two air retardant tankers, more smokejumpers and a bulldozer were added to the effort to the fire’s growth. It was last estimated at between 80-100 acres.
3:30 p.m., June 19, 2025 update: The fire is estimated at 30 acres and 100% active as it burns through a mixture of black spruce and tussock tundra. It is near the intersection of Deadwood Creek and Circle Hot Springs Road. There are numerous structures in the surrounding area, but none are immediately threatened. The water scoopers are actively working to slow the fire’s spread.
Smokejumpers just arrived on the ground to join the effort to suppress the fire.
2:30 p.m., June 19, 2025: BLM Alaska Fire Service (AFS) is responding to a new fire southwest of Central. Two single-engine and two multi-engine water scoopers are en route to the Deadwood Fire (#214), and BLM AFS is also mobilizing smokejumpers. The fire was spotted by a BLM AFS aviation staff member who observed smoke while checking flying conditions using the FAA web camera for Central.
More information will be posted as it becomes available.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 
