Widespread rain moderated fire activity on the Ptarmigan Complex as a front stalled over the area on Wednesday. A Remote Automatic Weather Station (RAWS) near mile 140 of the Steese highway reported up to half of an inch of rain throughout the day. Members of the public should use caution when recreating on Birch Creek as fire personnel are utilizing the waterway to access multiple fires to support fire operations. The Lower Birch Creek Wayside remains closed.
Turtle Fire (#243) – Due to weather and safety concerns throughout Wednesday, crews did not take direct action on the north end of the fire. As the day progressed, the Sisikyou Rappelers inserted into the north end of the fire to scout a potential helispot that will be utilized as an access point to insert ground crews for direct tactics. Today, the Smith River and Tatanka Hotshots will work towards each other on the fire’s northern edge, adding pumps, hoselays, and seeking to improve the hand line. On the south and east sides of the fire, behavior was moderated due to the weather and minimal growth was observed. The Turtle Fire was started by lightning. It was reported on June 19 and is burning about 10 miles east of Central and 12 miles south of Circle.
Birch Fire (#256) – The fire is monitored by air resources and continues to be held on the east side of Birch Creek. Activity is not expected to increase with the current weather. Today firefighters will begin removing remaining pumps and hose lay. The Birch Fire was discovered on June 20, caused by lightning, and is about 4 miles northwest of Circle.
Buckley Bar (#264) – A recon flight was taken in the afternoon to assess the values at risk for point protection. Fire activity was moderated due to weather but has moved within a quarter mile of nearby structures. Today, firefighters will be inserted near the fire to continue point protection on these structures.
Alligator Fire (#265) – Smokejumpers demobilized off the fire yesterday, after they had finished securing the line along the northern edge of the fire. The fire is at 50% containment, will remain unstaffed and in monitor status moving forward unless significant activity occurs. The fire was discovered on June 20, started by lightning, and is located 3 miles north of Central. The Deadwood Fire (#214) continues to be monitored and patrolled.
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-
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, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 