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Part of Salcha River remains in Level 2 “SET” status due to Ninetyeight Fire

By BLM Alaska Fire Service on June 21, 2025

Ten smokejumpers worked Saturday to protect structures and Alaska Native allotments along the Salcha River from the Ninetyeight Fire (#218).

Firefighters reported mostly calm conditions early in the day, but fire activity along the eastern edge began to pick up in the afternoon and early evening. A helicopter conducted multiple water drops to help slow the fire’s spread to the east and the south. Firefighters also set up hoses, sprinklers and pumps around cabins near Mile 34 and between Miles 37-38.

Topographic map showing a river with river mile markers lined in yellow showing a Level 2 Set evacuation status along the Salcha River. — 6/21/2025 3:19 PM: LOWER, MIDDLE and UPPER SALCHA RIVER MP 4-63 A Level 2 (SET) This decision is due to the structures within the vicinity of the 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. Find this map at other information on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Operations website.

Four of the smokejumpers assigned to the Ninetyeight Fire responded to a new start between Mile 25 and Mile 26 on the south side of the Salcha River about 6:45 p.m. Saturday. The McCoy Creek Fire (#312) was caused by lightning. It is estimated at a half-acre. An Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection helitack crew also responded to the fire.

A Level 2 (SET) Evacuation remains in effect for the Middle Salcha River Miles 33-52. Fairbanks North Star Borough decided to issue the Level 2 alert Friday night due to the proximity of structures to the Ninetyeight Fire. If there is a drastic change in current and expected fire direction, residents and visitors need to be prepared to evacuate.

View the evacuation map

Text WILDFIRES to 67283 to receive text notifications or go to: smart911.com

The Ninetyeight Fire was caused by lightning. It was reported June 19 during a period of intense wildfire activity across the state. A Type 3 Incident Management Team is expected to assume command of the fire on Wednesday.

-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.