U.S. Wildland Fire Service Corral Wildfire South of Eagle

By U.S. Wildland Fire Service on June 11, 2026

Two people in an airplane look out a doorway at smoke drifting up from a wildfire. — *Smokejumper Spotter Aaron Schumacher looks down at the Star Fire while smokejumper Brandon Kobayashi waits for a signal to get ready for the fire jump. Photo by Alaska Smokejumper Pat Johnson, USWFS*

Update June 12, 2026 – The 12 smokejumpers working the Star Fire near Eagle established a control line around the 4.4‑acre fire Thursday night and are now extinguishing remaining hot spots. The fire is burning mostly in black spruce about 400 yards west of the Taylor Highway near milepost 149, roughly 12 miles south of Eagle. Fire personnel anticipate the work will continue for the next couple of days, with a tentative demobilization scheduled for Sunday.

The lightning-caused fire was reported by a member of the public at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

Smoke drifts up from a forest fire near a road. — The first photo, taken from Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection personnel aboard an airplane circling above the Star Fire shortly after smokejumpers and equipment arrive on the ground. The second photo is taken from the same person aboard the plan three hours after arriving at the fire. There is a significant decrease in fire activity. Photos by Tim Whitesell, DFFP

Smoke drifts up from a forest fire burning next to a road. — The first photo, taken from Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection personnel aboard an airplane circling above the Star Fire shortly after smokejumpers and equipment arrive on the ground. The second photo is taken from the same person aboard the plan three hours after arriving at the fire. There is a significant decrease in fire activity. Photos by Tim Whitesell, DFFP

7:30 p.m., June 11 Update – Twelve smokejumpers are making progress getting a fireline around the roughly 4-acre Star Fire burning west of the Taylor Highway. More information will be available Friday.

7:30 p.m. Update: Twelve smokejumpers are making progress getting a fireline around the roughly 4-acre Star Fire burning west of the Taylor Highway. More information will be available Friday.

5:15 p.m.: Smokejumpers are responding to a small fire near Mile 149 of the Taylor Highway, about 11 miles south of Eagle. At 4:50 p.m. Thursday, smokejumpers circling the area reported the Star Fire at 5–8 acres, burning roughly 400 yards west of the highway in black spruce and birch. The fire is visible from the roadway.

People are asked to use caution around firefighting activity and the wildfire near the road. Please slow down and turn on headlights if smoke is present.

More information will be released when it becomes available.

Smoke drifts up from a forest fire near a roadway. — *The Star Fire (#172) is burning about 400 yards west of milepost 149 Taylor Highway south of Eagle. Photo by Alaska Smokejumper Pat Johnson, USWFS*

For updated fire information, visit Alaska Wildland Fire Information (akfireinfo.com) and Alaska Fire Service on Facebook. Contact Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen at Elizabeth_ipsen@ios.doi.gov or (907)356-5510 for more information.

Map showing a roadway and mile posts surrounding a wildfire. — The Star Fire (#172) is burning west of milepost 149 about 11 miles south of Eagle.

-USWFS-

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

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