Crews are beginning to pivot tactics on key fires across the 14,302-acre Roundabout Complex, as weather conditions shift this week. While some areas remain in monitor status, active fires are seeing continued prep, securing, and mop-up operations. A period of drying followed by light precipitation is improving access and revealing fuels, creating opportunities to adjust strategies where conditions allow.
Moldy Fire (#279) – The Plumas Hotshots were successfully moved from the south end of the fire to a northern allotment for additional prep work. That effort is expected to continue over the next two to three shifts. If conditions remain favorable, fire managers are preparing to shift to direct attack in a large, unburned area that is surrounded on three sides by active fire. The Zigzag Hotshots may be reassigned to support this operation once their work on the Caribou Fire is complete. The goal is to strengthen and secure this section before it becomes more active, weather and logistics permitting.
Caribou Fire (#128) – Smokejumpers and the Zigzag Hotshots are working to cut off a fuel corridor of spruce leading toward the Hogatza Mine. Crews are securing and gridding the area, patrolling for hot spots. Smokejumper demobilization is scheduled for tomorrow, with two more shifts expected for the hotshot crew before a potential move to the Moldy Fire’s planned direct attack operations.
Richards Fire (#251) – Securing line and mop-up operations are ongoing, with two additional shifts planned.
Billy Hawk (#182) and Billy Hawk 2 (#191) – These fires remain in monitor status.
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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 