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U.S. Wildland Fire Service Firefighters, Aircraft Continue Efforts to Contain the Kopshesut Fire near Ambler

By U.S. Wildland Fire Service on June 5, 2026

Smoke drifts up from a forest fire in in the distance. Fuel tanks are in front of the camera. — The Federal Aviation Administration Weather Camera in Ambler shows smoke drifting up from the Kopsheut Fire burning about a milt west of town at 12:41 p.m. on June 5, 2026.

Fire activity significantly moderated overnight, allowing U.S. Wildland Fire Service personnel to advance efforts to stop the spread of the Kopshesut Fire toward Ambler. Using a direct extinguishment strategy, 24 smokejumpers — supported by single‑engine water scoopers, helicopters, and two Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection air tankers — made good progress on the eastern edge Thursday and reported 10% containment with an estimated 500 acres burned.

With help from the water scoopers and helicopters, the smokejumpers will continue concentrating their efforts on the right flank to keep the fire from reaching the village.

Wind gusts up to 30 mph pushed flames burning through black spruce southeast toward the Kobuk River on Thursday, rather than directly toward Ambler. The fire is estimated to be within a mile of the community.

Two USWFS crews — the Type 2 North Star Crew and the Midnight Sun Hotshots — each with just over 20 firefighters, will be shuttling from Fairbanks to the fire over the next two days.

After a morning of cloudy skies Friday, similar conditions are expected across the fire area. West to northwest winds will persist, with occasional gusts up to 25 mph later in the day. Overnight humidity recovery is expected to be good again. Isolated showers are possible Saturday afternoon, with precipitation becoming more widespread as another weather system moves south over the fire. However, because this system is dropping down from the Arctic, the potential for meaningful wetting rain remains low. It will bring a period of cooler, seasonable temperatures early next week.

For updated fire information, visit Alaska Wildland Fire Information (akfireinfo.com) and USWLF Alaska Fire Service on Facebook. Download a PDF version of this update. Read Thursday’s information about the Kopshesut Fire.

-USWFS-

U.S. Wildland Fire Service, P.O. Box 35005 1541 Gaffney Road, Fort Wainwright, Ak 99703

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