The fires that make up the Ptarmigan Complex near Central and Circle experienced wetting rain and thunderstorms overnight. More rain and thunderstorms are expected today. This will impact helicopter flights and some operations. Fire behavior is likely to be less active following a rain event, but smoldering can continue and fire activity will likely pick up as conditions dry out.
The Black Hills Wildland Fire Module installed a remote automatic weather station (RAWS) on Monday. A radio repeater was also installed. Installation of this critical equipment will allow firefighters to receive more accurate weather data and have better communications across the large distance covered by the complex.
The public is asked to be aware that firefighters will be assessing structures and potential fuel breaks in the Central area over the next few days. Please give them plenty of room to work.
Turtle Fire (#243) – Nine Smokejumpers patrolled the western flank of the fire along Birch Creek on Monday to assess the progress of Sunday evening’s firing operation. They also confirmed that fire hadn’t crossed Birch Creek. Today, firefighters will continue to assess and prep structures and monitor fire activity along the east side of Birch Creek. The fire will be flown and monitored every day as weather and smoke conditions allow.
Deadwood Fire (#214) – On Monday, crews gridded the entire fire perimeter to a depth of 100 feet in from the fire’s edge and mopped up any hotspot. There was no heat found in the northwest side of the fire and no fire activity was observed in the spot fires. This fire is now considered 100% contained. Today the Council of Athabaskan Tribal Governments Type 2 wildland firefighting crew and the Paradise Valley Type 2 hand crew will continue to grid the fire looking for and extinguishing any remaining heat. The fire suppression module from the National Park Service will begin assessing the proposed 2014 fuel breaks around the Central area.
Ketchem Fire (#240) – There was no growth or smoke observed on this fire for the past two days and it is considered contained and controlled. Crews will grid and mop up until the fire is out.
Alligator Fire (#265) – After Monday night’s reconnaissance flight, the fire is now estimated to be around 1,100 acres. There was increased fire activity observed on the north side of the fire where it has entered a drainage and is burning in a previously unburned section of spruce. The southern edge showed minimal growth.
Birch Fire (#256) – Five Smokejumpers, aided by bucket work from helicopters and hose lays, worked directly along the fire’s northern edge to try to stop its progress. Today, the Black Hills Wildland Fire Module will continue this work, if necessary. Minimal fire activity was observed around the rest of the fire. The fire is estimated to be 2,700 acres and remains 3.5 miles from Circle.
Little Mosquito Fire (#241) – No fire activity was observed over the past two days. It will remain in monitor status.
-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 