6/20/25 8:40 pm Update: Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Alert: A Level 2 (SET) Evacuation is in effect for the following area: Middle Salcha River Miles 33-52
This decision is due to the structures within the vicinity of the Ninetyeight Fire. Given the proximity of the fire to this area, if there is a drastic change in the current and expected direction, residents and visitors need to be prepared to evacuate.
The fire is growing to the east and is close to the Salcha River. Four smokejumpers are at the cabin directly south at the fire at mile 34. There are additional cabins farther north on the river that are threatened as well. BLM Alaska Fire Service personnel plan to fly over the fire area tonight to assess current fire activity.
For the evacuation map check: https://experience.arcgis.com/…/51c4d29619364d629c914a7…
Text WILDFIRES to 67283 to receive text notifications or go to: smart911.com
Original information at 4:30 p.m., June 20: Four smokejumpers are on the ground and beginning structure protection efforts at a cabin near Mile 34 on the Salcha River, about one mile south of the lightning-caused Ninetyeight Fire (#218), which is burning near the border of the Yukon Training Area east of Eielson Air Force Base.
The fire was estimated at 800 acres when the smokejumpers parachuted near the fire around 1:30 p.m. Friday. It was exhibiting a moderate rate of spread, mostly to the northeast. It is burning through grass that eventually transitions into a mix of black and white spruce closer to the river.
As part of the response plan, firefighters will boat up the Salcha River to provide situational updates and gather critical information to support structure protection planning for areas expected to be impacted – both by this fire and others located about 30 miles upriver.
The fire was discovered Thursday afternoon during a period of intense wildfire activity across the state. With firefighting resources stretched thin, BLM Alaska Fire Service and the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection are working together to prioritize responses where firefighter and public safety are most at risk. The two agencies are coordinating closely to share resources, patrol the Salcha River corridor, and assess what protection measures are needed for cabins along the river.
For more information, contact BLM AFS Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen at (907) 356-5510 or eipsen@blm.gov.
-BLM-
Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Service, P.O. Box 35005 1541 Gaffney Road, Fort Wainwright, Ak 99703
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The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (AFS) located at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, provides wildland fire suppression services for over 240 million acres of Department of the Interior and Native Corporation Lands in Alaska. In addition, AFS has other statewide responsibilities that include: interpretation of fire management policy; oversight of the BLM Alaska Aviation program; fuels management projects; and operating and maintaining advanced communication and computer systems such as the Alaska Lightning Detection System. AFS also maintains a National Incident Support Cache. The Alaska Fire Service provides wildland fire suppression services for America’s “Last Frontier” on an interagency basis with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Military in Alaska.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 