A Red Flag Warning has been issued for today due to a forecast calling for high temperatures, low humidity, and wind. These conditions are expected to cause increased fire activity and smoke across the Ptarmigan Complex as 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) – The Paradise Type 2 hand crew, and the Council of Athabaskan Tribal Governments Type 2 wildland firefighting crew continue to test pumps and hoses as they improve the indirect line in the area around an Alaska Native allotment boundary near Mile 148 on the Steese Highway. Both the north and east flanks of the fire are still showing signs of smoldering heat. Last night, isolated tree torching and a small canopy run was observed on the northeast corner of the fire. Wind direction today is forecasted to be favorable to limit large fire growth to the north.
Alligator Fire (#265) – The fire is primarily holding heat in the northern end. Smoldering and creeping heat is present in the higher and drier terrain. The northern part of the fire is split into three fingers – northwest, middle, and northeast. Smokejumpers and the Alaska Range Module worked from the northwest shoulder into the middle finger yesterday, constructing a line for a hose lay across the burned area of the fire in order to get water to the heavy fuels burning in the middle finger’s west flank. The Smith River Hotshots are working on the middle finger today, putting in saw line and hoses as they move west to tie in with the smokejumpers’ line.
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 extinguishing hotspots and constructing line on the south flank yesterday. An indirect line is in place to tie the fire into the creek on the south flank.
The Deadwood Fire (#214) is in monitor status. Yesterday, firefighters extinguished an isolated smoke about 15 feet inside the perimeter. 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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Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 