Measurable rainfall has arrived in northwest Alaska, slowing down fire activity in the BLM Alaska Fire Service’s Galena Zone.
Four smokejumpers assigned to the Wheeler Fire (#412) are a couple days away from finishing work to protect a cabin and other values at risk. They have hose around the cabin. Today, they’ll set up sprinklers and pumps. A lightning strike caused the Wheeler Fire, which was reported on July 7. The fire is about 27 miles north of Huslia and is estimated at 26,698 acres. The area received steady rain throughout the day Monday.
The Sikik Fire (#404), burning in the Noatak National Preserve, is about 3 miles west of the Noatak River at river mile 266. It is in a limited protection area. The fire is 12,326 acres and will be monitored, allowing it to fulfill its natural role unless sites of value are threatened.
The Reed Fire (#430) is located about 4.5 miles northwest of Nutuvuki Lake in a limited protection area. The fire is estimated at 1,663 acres and is being monitored. It will be allowed to fulfill its natural role unless it threatens known sites and structures.
Cool, wet, windy weather is expected to hang around today and into the rest of the week. Rain and higher humidity will reduce fire activity, but won’t be enough to put the fires out.
This is the final update for the Wheeler, Sikik, and Reed fires barring an unexpected change in fire activity.
Download at PDF of this update.
-BLM-
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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 