Due to increased fire activity from a group of wildfires burning near Central and Circle, State of Alaska Emergency Operations Center has issued a Level 1 “Ready” evacuation alert for the following areas:
- The community of Central
- Steese Highway from Milepost 123 to Milepost 151
- Circle Hot Springs Road and Circle Hot Springs
- Deadwood Creek Road
Firefighting resources – including a Type 3 incident management team composed primarily of Alaskans – are mobilizing to the area in response to extreme fire behavior from the Ikheenjik and Turtle fires, which have made a run toward the Steese Highway near MP140 by Birch Creek.
The BLM AFS Chena Hotshots and a 10-person firefighting module are scheduled to arrive Sunday to assist in efforts to protect both communities and the numerous structures scattered throughout the area. They will join 20 smokejumpers and an eight-person Alaska National Park Service firefighting module with an engine already assigned to the fires.
A total of six fires currently make up what is being managed as the Ptarmigan Complex:
Deadwood Fire (#214) – Smokejumpers were able to get around two small fires that spotted across the Deadwood Creek Road. This was just days after doing the same on a small fire that spotted east of the Circle Hot Springs Road Thursday night. A bulldozer constructed a fire break on the Deadwood Creek Road side with smokejumpers working on installing a system of water hose on the left side. The fire area received some rain to help firefighters.
Ketchem Fire (#240) – This fire is less than an acre and burning near structures close to Circle Hot Springs. A few smokejumpers diverted from the Deadwood Fire, aided by rain, were able to stop its growth and plan to mop up remaining hotspots today.
Turtle Fire (#243) and the Ikheenijik Fire (#242) –They were exhibiting extreme fire behaviorand burned together Friday. It is estimated they have burned about 7,000 acres combined. Four smokejumpers responded and, with five smokejumpers diverted from the Deadwood Fire, are assessing structures in the area and determining protection needs.
Little Mosquito Fire (#241) and East Albert Fire (#244) – these fires are north of the Steese Highway and burning near creeks they’re named for. They were smoldering and creeping in an area burned in 2004 five miles north of Central.
A Level 1 “Ready” alert means:
- Begin preparing for a potential evacuation
- Make plans for family members with special needs, pets, or livestock
- Gather essential items such as prescriptions, important documents, and valuables
Drivers should expect traffic delays on area roadways due to firefighting operations and large, active wildfires burning near the roadway.
With firefighting resources stretched thin due to widespread fire activity, BLM AFS and the DOF are working together to prioritize response where firefighter and public safety are most at risk. The two agencies are coordinating closely to share resources and ensure they are deployed where they are most needed.
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 