At approximately 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, winds on the Lush Fire (#199) increased dramatically (up to 30 miles per hour). Extreme fire behavior with wind driven runs, running fire, and spotting occurred. The fire made an estimated two mile run in under two hours, with the fire pushing from southcentral to southwest of the perimeter. Three crews had to be pulled off of the fire and shuttled across the Yukon River towards Rampart. Tankers dropped 2 loads of fire retardant around a cabin on the southwest corner of the fire.
This morning, the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) will be flown over the Rampart area to look for any potential spots that may have occurred across the river. Sprinklers will be turned on to protect structures on the southwest corner of the fire. Firefighters will be moved upriver to the northeast flank of the fire to work on securing the Native Alaska Allotment in that area.
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area and may be found at: https://tinyurl.com/44y5pdky. Fire managers are working to make sure the TFR has as minimal impact on the community as possible. Approach and departures from the Rampart airstrip are not affected.
The Elephant Fire (#225) increased in activity yesterday. Four smokejumpers went to the fire yesterday and an additional 4 will be inserted today. A reconnaissance flight is planned today and firefighters will install structure protection on an additional cabin.
The Dugan Fire (#354) is staffed with 8 smokejumpers and is located approximately 20 miles east of Manley Hot Springs. Firefighters have hose lays installed around the fire and will continue to mop up the fire further in to the perimeter. One benefit of the warmer, drier weather is that areas of heat have become visible and allow the firefighters to address them.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 10:00 pm for Thursday, July 3 for these fires in Tanana Fire Management Zone. Relative humidity levels will be as low as 20%. Winds will be out of the east with 10 to 15 miles per hour and temperatures will be in the upper 80s. This will combine with very dry surface fuels resulting in critical fire weather conditions. Rapid ignition, growth and spread of wildfires is possible.
Overall, fire managers are monitoring 40 other fires in the Tanana Zone and will staff those fires if conditions warrant. For a printable version of today’s update, please CLICK HERE.
-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 