Smokejumpers assigned to a handful of fires burning in the BLM Alaska Fire Service’s Galena Zone have completed their work on some fires and are shifting their focus to other incidents.
Twelve smokejumpers have contained and controlled the Shiliak Fire (#374), which is 25 miles northeast and across the water from Kotzebue. They will be flown to Kotzebue today and then to Fairbanks, where they will prepare for their next assignment.
Twelve smokejumpers assigned to the Gisasa Fire (#432) continued their suppression efforts Friday. The fire is 80% contained. Some smoke was seen inside the fire’s established perimeter. No growth in acreage was reported. Firefighters have hose around the perimeter. They will work today to identify any residual heat along the fire’s edge and extinguish it. The fire is north of the Gisasa River about 2 miles from the confluence with the Koyukuk River. It is estimated at 10 acres.
The Onion Fire (#433) is about 9 miles west of Ambler and south of the Kobuk River. The crew of an air attack plane reported moderate fire activity Friday with the fire burning in tundra and spruce. Six single-engine water scoopers and two multi-engine water scoopers worked the fire’s edge with water drops to protect Alaska Native allotments nearby. There is a plan to staff the fire for point protection of allotments and structures once resources are available.
The Sikik Fire (#404) is 3 miles west of the Noatak River at river mile 266 in the Noatak National Preserve. The fire is burning in a limited protection area and will be monitored. The fire will be allowed to fulfill its natural role unless it threatens a site of value. It is estimated at 10,093 acres.
Reed Fire (#430) – The fire is being monitored and assessed for any potential threats in the future. It is located about 4.5 miles northwest of Nutuvuki Lake in a limited protection area. The fire will be allowed to fulfill its natural role unless it threatens a site of value. It is estimated at 1,500 acres.
Warm, dry conditions are forecast to continue through the weekend for northwestern Alaska, with highs in the upper 60s to mid-70s, clear skies, and wind gusts up to 20 mph. This may contribute to increased fire behavior. Cooler, wetter weather is expected for the start of the week. If the rain arrives, it will be the first precipitation the area has received since mid to late June.
The Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a smoke advisory for the northwest Interior through Sunday. Air quality will vary between GOOD and VERY UNHEALTHY in the region.
Download an PDF of this update.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 