Ambler will see an influx of firefighting personnel in the coming days as efforts ramp up to manage a group of fires burning between Kiana and Ambler in the Kobuk Valley.
Since July 6, there have been 16 new fires in the BLM Alaska Fire Service Galena Fire Management Zone, which spans an area roughly the size of Montana across western Alaska from the Yukon River northward. The most significant area of concern is the cluster of fires between Kiana and Ambler. Eight of these fires have been grouped into the Goldrun Complex, which will soon be managed by a Type 3 Incident Management Team from Wyoming. Most of these fires are burning on National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management lands in a part of Alaska that hasn’t seen significant rain since June 24-25, according to the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center Predictive Services meteorologist.
Persistent northerly winds have made firefighting efforts difficult. While smokejumpers – supported by water-scooping aircraft – have successfully suppressed several fires, they’ve faced greater challenges on larger, wind-driven incidents. After a valiant effort on the Nuna Fire, firefighters were forced to pull back and shift their focus to protecting Alaska Native allotments and structures along the Kobuk River.
Looking ahead, warm and dry conditions are forecast to continue through the weekend, with highs in the upper 60s to mid-70s, clear skies, and light westerly winds. These conditions may contribute to increased fire behavior. Smoke from larger fires in the region, including the Moldy Fire near Huslia, may also impact air quality – especially for elders, young children, and others sensitive to smoke. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an Air Quality Advisory through Friday due to unhealthy levels of smoke in northwestern Alaska where the fires are concentrated.
Many of Wednesday’s fires were sparked by holdover lightning strikes – smoldering hotspots that can linger underground for days before flaring up under warm, dry, and windy conditions. Fire managers anticipate additional starts from these holdovers in the coming days.
Goldrun Complex – Kobuk Valley Area Fires
Nuna Fire (#420):
Now estimated at 5,000 acres, the Nuna Fire remained active throughout the day due to warm, dry conditions. Fire behavior included smoldering, creeping, and isolated torching. Smokejumpers on scene are focused on protecting Alaska Native allotments located within 2 miles of the fire. Protection measures include installing hose lays, water pumps, and sprinklers, as well as removing brush near structures.
Jade Fire (#407):
Smokejumpers responded to the Jade Fire on Sunday. After completing suppression efforts, they redeployed to the nearby Nuna Fire to support ongoing structure protection work.
Karet Fire (#408):
Firefighters responded to this 9-acre fire earlier in the week. With containment and control expected today, crews plan to shift resources to the Nuna Fire to assist with protection efforts.
Salmon Fire (#423):
Twelve smokejumpers responded and, with support from water scoopers, held the fire to approximately 100 acres. They completed a hose around the entire perimeter to spray down the edges. Firefighters have developed a suppression plan and are assessing the need for additional resources to protect nearby Alaska Native allotments, structures, and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fish station.
Tutuksuk Fire (#424):
Estimated at 569 acres, this fire is currently in monitor status.
Kaliguricheark Fire (#410), Kobuk Fire (#411), and Hunt Fire (#409):
These three fires are burning close together in a limited management option area, which allows fire to play a natural ecological role. However, they are being monitored for potential threats to identified sites of value, including Native allotments about 2 miles away. The Kaliguricheark Fire is the largest of the three at 2,715 acres.
New Fires – July 9
Onion Fire (#433):
Discovered by personnel aboard a smokejumper aircraft, the Onion Fire is burning in tundra and black spruce approximately 10 miles west of Ambler. Estimated at 10 acres, it is currently smoldering and creeping and is being closely monitored.
Gisasa Fire (#432):
Discovered at 4:45 p.m. by smokejumpers aboard an aircraft, the Gisasa Fire is located about 26 miles north of the village of Koyukuk. The fire is approximately 10 acres and actively burning in black spruce, white spruce, and tundra. Twelve smokejumpers and four single-engine air tankers responded and continue suppression efforts today.
Reed Fire (#430):
Mapped at 10 acres via satellite, the Reed Fire is located in a limited management area roughly 56 miles east of Kobuk. It is being monitored and allowed to fulfill its natural role unless it threatens a site of value.
For more information, contact BLM Alaska Fire Service Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen at (907)356-5510 or eipsen@blm.gov.
Click on this link for a PDF version of this update.
-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 