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Firefighters continue to make progress on the Ptarmigan Complex

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Turtle Fire (#243) – The Paradise Valley Type 2 hand crew and the Council of Athabaskan Tribal Governments Type 2 wildland firefighting crew continued to improve indirect line along the southern edge the Alaska Native allotment boundary near Mile 148 on the Steese Highway. They completed more than 2 miles of plumbed line by the end of shift Saturday. This work will continue today along the remaining indirect fire line. Both the north and south flanks of the fire continue to show signs of smoldering heat. The fire will be flown and monitored every day as weather and smoke conditions allow.

An aerial photo shows a swath of burned area surrounded by unburned ground.
The northern edge of the Alligator Fire (#256) is seen from the air on June 28. The fire is part of the Ptarmigan Complex near Central and Circle. Photo: Jeff Coburn, Redmond Smokejumpers

Alligator Fire (#265) – Four Smokejumpers constructed line and looked for hotspots on the northwest shoulder of the fire where thermal imaging has revealed the most continuous heat. The Smith River Hotshots were inserted via helicopter on the northeastern corner of the fire. They are working toward the smokejumpers, putting in line to provide point protection for the values at risk and putting out any hotspots. The Alaska Range Module finished mopping up the southern edge and will assist the smokejumpers on the northwest corner today.

Firefighters using thermal imaging found a few visible hotspots in the flat areas to the south. Isolated heat is present on the heel of the east and west flanks. Some heat is also showing in the spruce stringers by Albert Creek. The fire continues to burn in a full protection area.

A line of white firefighting hose is laid diagonally across the photo in an area where firefighters cut away the trees in a forest.
Firefighting hose lays on the ground in an indirect line cut by firefighters to defend an allotment from the Turtle Fire (#243). The fire is part of the Ptarmigan Complex near Central and Circle. Photo: Jeff Coburn, Redmond Smokejumpers

Birch Fire (#256) – No visible smokes showed on the eastern flank. Lingering smokes were still present in the area between the main edge of the fire and Birch Creek. The Black Hills Wildland Fire Module is engaged on the north flank of the fire constructing line and laying hoses to provide point protection. They are also putting out hotspots. When this is done, they will move to the southern edge of the fire where heat is still present.

The Deadwood Fire (#214) is in monitor status. The Ketchem Fire (#240) and Little Mosquito Fire (#241) are out.

A Level 1 “Ready” Alert remains in effect for the community of Central, the Steese Highway from Milepost 123 to Milepost 151, Circle Hot Springs Road and Circle Hot Springs, and Deadwood Creek Road. Drivers should expect traffic delays on the Steese Highway, Circle Hot Springs Road, and Deadwood Creek Road due to firefighting operations. 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; and stay alert and watch for updates from local authorities.

NOTAM #06/201 is in place for the Central Airport (CEM): Increased air traffic 5,000 ft MSL and below within a 20 nautical mile radius of the Central Airport (CEM) due to firefighting aviation operations.

Download a PDF of this update.

-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.

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Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service

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