Strong winds and dry air fueled another active day on the Roundabout Complex, now mapped at 44,153 acres. All recent growth—approximately 4,800 acres since yesterday—has occurred on the Moldy Fire (#279). The other fires in the complex continue to remain unchanged.
Moldy Fire (#279) – Fire moved quickly through the Louie Creek burn scar yesterday, progressing by roughly 3,000 acres in less than 12 hours. Cold, dry air combined with high winds carried fire through atypical fuels, contributing to the fire’s spread. No rain was received, and none is predicted in the near term.
Despite weather and terrain challenges, the Zigzag Hotshots completed prep work on allotments west of the fire and identified additional needs to address fire pushing toward allotments on the Dagitli River. They will continue securing the southeastern edge of that site today. Meanwhile, the Plumas Hotshots deployed a module downriver to reinforce line around Butch’s Cabin and a nearby allotment. That crew will continue their work today while a second module remains focused on prepping and protecting allotments near Huslia.
An additional Type 1 crew and one Type 2 crew have been requested in anticipation of continued dry and windy conditions.
Evacuation Preparedness – Fire managers remain in regular communication with the local Tribal Council, which is currently hosting a youth culture camp on an allotment across the river. While the camp is not within the active fire area, the camp community has been encouraged to be in a “Ready” status. “Ready” is the first level of evacuation preparedness and means residents should take steps to safeguard their property and prepare for potential evacuation. This includes campers pre-packing their belongings as well as pre-coordination of local boats to escort the campers and staff back to Huslia. Local officials will arrive in camp today to explain the situation. This process has been initiated should the situation escalate to a “Set” or “Go” status, in which the camp would be closed early, with evacuations to Huslia.
Caribou Fire (#128), Richards Fire (#251), Billy Hawk Fire (#182), and Billy Hawk 2 Fire (#191) – No changes reported. All four fires remain in monitor status with no new activity.
-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 