A Red Flag Warning has been issued for today due to a forecast that calls for high temperatures, low humidity, and wind. These conditions are expected to cause increased fire activity and smoke across the Ptarmigan Complex. Extreme fire behavior is possible.
Turtle Fire (#243) – The fire made a substantial run and exhibited extreme fire behavior Friday, growing by close to 4,000 acres. On the eastern edge, the fire backed down the hills and reached the flats. Prevailing winds from the north northeast pushed the fire back on itself as it moved across the tundra in an area with many water features. That should help slow the fire’s spread.
In the southwest section of the fire, the Black Hills Module is working to keep the fire on the west side of Birch Creek. On Friday, they conducted a tactical firing operation along the shore of Birch Creek with the help of boats. Firefighters worked upriver to the south, trying to stay ahead of the fire as it made a push of several thousand acres toward the creek. Today, firefighters will continue firing operations – if needed and when appropriate. They will also look for and put out any spot fires on the west bank of the creek, and explore additional tactics for preventing the fire from crossing the creek.
The northwest corner of the fire exhibited low intensity fire, as flames back into the wind and out of the spruce into an area of tundra. Today, the Tatanka Hotshots will be scouting this area and along the indirect line bordering the allotment. The Paradise Type 2 hand crew and the Council of Athabaskan Tribal Governments Type 2 wildland firefighting crew will continue to maintain the pumps and hoses and improve indirect line around the Alaska Native allotment boundary near Mile 148 on the Steese Highway.
Alligator Fire (#265) – Fire behavior Friday was primarily limited to creeping and smoldering with some isolated tree torching. The Alaska Range Module came off the fire at the end of shift yesterday and will be replaced with a four-person engine crew from Missouri. They will work with Big Sky Helitack and the Smith River Hotshots to continue to improve and add depth to their saw line and mop up any hotspots found on the fire’s northern edge.
Birch Fire (#256) – The fire was mainly smoldering and creeping Friday. It remains within the indirect fire lines. No visible smoke is showing on the eastern flank. This fire is being monitored by air. The Deadwood Fire (#214) is also being monitored. 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.
-BLM-
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Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 