Updated Evacuations from Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for the #OBrienFire (#172)
🟡 Level 2 “SET” – Mile post 31 (from the Fairbanks Northstar Borough boundary) – mile post 38 on the Elliot Highway is now in Level 2 “SET” status. Be SET to leave at a moment’s notice.
🟢 Level 1 “READY” – Mile post 38-42 on the Elliot Highway is now in Level 1 “READY” status. Be READY for sudden changes.
Please drive with extreme caution, watch for pilot cars, and be prepared for long waits along fire impacted roadways. Check 511.alaska.gov or Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities for more information.
Click for printable pdf of map
The Obrien Fire (#172) was discovered on 6/17/25 at 3:46 p.m. and is located one mile west of the Yaeger’s Cabin and between the Summit and Wickersham Creek trails. It is currently burning just east of the area affected by the 2024 Globe Fire.
The Bureau of Land Management Eastern Interior Field Office temporarily closed the western portion of the White Mountains National Recreation Area on 6/18/25 in response to this wildfire. The closure includes trails, public use cabins, trail shelters, and the Wickersham Dome Trailhead at Mile 28 of the Elliott Highway, north of Fairbanks.
Click for more info about this closure.
Smokejumpers and repellers responded to the fire but were later reassigned due to higher priority fires and safety concerns.
Weather, terrain and fuel conditions on July 5th aligned and caused an increase in fire activity. Firefighters were inserted again today, July 6th, to assess fire activity and engage in point protection strategy. Personnel will remain overnight at the site closest to fire to monitor fire activity. This fire is burning in a limited fire management option area.
Click on this link for a copy of the Fire Closure Order.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF), BLM Alaska Fire Service, BLM Eastern Interior Field Office
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 