Firefighting aircraft were assigned to a new start Friday night north of the Yukon River between Venetie and Fort Yukon.
The Tsukon Fire (#382) is estimated at 10 acres and was started by lightning. It is burning in a full protection area about 17 miles southeast of Venetie and about 26 miles northwest of Fort Yukon.
Two helicopters and two scooper planes are conducting water drops. An air attack plane is also assigned to the fire to coordinate the operation. If additional resources are needed, they will be assigned as they become available.
Also in the Upper Yukon Zone, the Cherokee Hotshots and eleven smokejumpers finished cutting a saw line around the Fortymile Fire (#355), reaching 100% containment. They also searched for and mopped up hotspots 100 feet in from the line. Two smokejumpers and the hotshot crew will remain in place, completing mop up operations. The other nine smokejumpers will leave the fire Saturday to get ready for their next assignment.
The Fortymile Fire was started by lightning. It is about 25 miles north of Beaver.
Hot, dry weather will stay in place over the Upper Yukon Zone for the next several days. The potential for new fires is still high. New starts could grow rapidly due to the high temperatures, extremely dry fuels, and wind.
-BLM-
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Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 