A Red Flag Warning issued yesterday by the National Weather Service has been extended through 10:00 p.m. Thursday, July 3rd. Hot, dry, and windy conditions are expected across the Central and Eastern Interior Wednesday. This will combine with very dry surface fuels resulting in critical fire weather conditions.
Yesterday afternoon, strong winds pushed the Ninetyeight Fire (#218) approximately one mile to the southwest. Multiple aircraft responded, including water-scooping aircraft and helicopters, dropping water on the new southwest flank near Mile 32.5. The strong aerial support enabled firefighters to prevent the fire from crossing the Salcha River, and no structures were damaged. The fire is now burning in hardwood fuels. Firefighters made solid progress on structure protection in the area, plumbing many cabins for defense. A hotshot crew will continue patrolling nearby structures around Miles 31-32 and improving protection measures, and firefighters will go direct on this portion of the fire today to prevent additional spread.
Fire activity remained limited on the southern portion of the fire between Miles 33 and 37, with isolated heat observed in interior pockets. Firefighters have completed line construction along a significant portion of the southeast side of the fire, between Miles 36 and 40 and have made significant progress with mop-up operations well within the fire perimeter, targeting and extinguishing remaining hot spots.
The Bureau of Land Management has issued fire restrictions throughout the district. For more information, visit the BLM Alaska Fire Restrictions webpage or contact BLM at (907) 474-2200.
On July 2, 2025 at 2:45 p.m., the Fairbanks Northstar Borough upgraded the Middle and Lower Salcha River in the Salcha River Corridor to Level 2 “SET.” SET means be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. The Upper Salcha River evacuation level remains at Level 1 “READY.” Level 1 means “BE READY” for potential evacuation. Residents should be aware of danger in their area and monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. The evacuation map and other information can be found on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Operations website.
Text WILDFIRES to 67283 to receive text notifications or go to: smart911.com
Additional information on wildfires across Alaska, including the Ninetyeight Fire, can be found at: https://akfireinfo.com/ or by calling: (907) 356-5511.
Learn more at akfireinfo.com, and on Facebook (@BLMAFS).
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 