The National Weather Service in Fairbanks has issued a Red Flag Warning for Wednesday due to a forecast that calls for hot, dry weather and windy conditions. In preparation, firefighters assigned to the Ptarmigan Complex worked over the past several days to reinforce saw lines and improve protection for Alaska Native allotments and other values at risk. Increased fire activity is expected and smoke across the complex could increase as the fuels become more receptive to fire and hotspots begin to show themselves. The public is asked to use extreme caution when working with or using anything that produces a spark or may start a fire.
Turtle Fire (#243) – Both the north and east flanks of the fire continue to show signs of smoldering heat. Limited smoke was observed Monday. Eight smokejumpers, the Paradise Type 2 hand crew, and the Council of Athabaskan Tribal Governments Type 2 wildland firefighting crew continue to add pumps and hoses to indirect line in the area around an Alaska Native allotment boundary near Mile 148 on the Steese Highway. The indirect line is also being improved with additional saw work.
Alligator Fire (#265) – The main area holding heat is in the northern end. Smoldering and creeping heat has been found in the higher, drier terrain. Smokejumpers and the Alaska Range Module continue to work on the northwest shoulder and middle finger of the fire, constructing direct line and extinguishing hotspots. The Smith River Hotshots are working on the eastmost finger to put in line and hoses as they move west to tie in with the smokejumpers’ line. Big Sky Helitack walked the south flank of the fire and found minimal heat. Only a few visible smokes were showing in the flat areas on the south flank.
Birch Fire (#256) – No visible smoke is showing on the eastern flank. Lingering smoke is present in the area between the main edge of the fire and Birch Creek. The Black Hills Wildland Fire Module finished constructing indirect handline from fire’s edge to Birch Creek. They have also secured and mopped up the northwestern corner of the fire. Today, they will work the south flank of the fire, taking direct action on a few pockets of heat and constructing indirect line to tie the fire into the creek.
The Deadwood Fire (#214) is in monitor status. An isolated smoke about 15 feet inside the perimeter was seen from the road this morning. Firefighters plan to extinguish it today. 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.
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-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 