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U.S. Wildland Fire Service Responds to New Fire South of Kobuk River Across From Ambler

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7 p.m. Kugachevk Fire Update: Heavy rain moved over the Kugachevk Fire Sunday before smokejumpers and water scoopers could engage and significantly subdued the fire. It is now estimated at one‑eighth of an acre, smaller than initially reported. Firefighters aboard the helicopter assigned to the Kopshesut Fire plan to land at the site to ensure no heat remains.

Original information: U.S. Wildland Fire Service smokejumpers and aircraft, including two water scoopers, prepositioned in Galena responded Sunday night to a new fire about 3 miles south of Ambler on the opposite side of the Kobuk River. The Kugachevk Fire (#193) is about a half-mile from the nearest Native allotment and within 2 miles of three others.

Firefighters working on the nearby Kopshesut Fire (#137) reported the new start around 5:15 p.m. after seeing significant lightning in the area.

A helicopter assigned to the Kopshesut Fire, burning 1 mile west of Ambler on the north side of the Kobuk River, launched to the new start and reported at 5:30 p.m. that the fire was about 1 acre and smoldering and creeping through tundra grass.

This is the second fire to ignite in the Kobuk River valley near Ambler in less than two weeks. The Kopshesut Fire began in the Ambler landfill on June 4 and grew to 500 acres within the first few hours as winds pushed it through black spruce and grass.

There are still 42 personnel assigned to the 1,447‑acre Kopshesut Fire about 1 mile west of Ambler. It is 70% contained. Firefighters continue working deeper into the fire area to extinguish hot spots until the fire is fully contained and controlled.

More updates will be released here and on the Alaska Fire Service Facebook page when they become available.

Contact Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen at Elizabeth_ipsen@ios.doi.gov or (907)356-5510 for more information.

A map showing a red blob of a large fire next to Ambler and a red dot south of a river for a new fire.
The Kugachevk Fire (#193) shown south of the Kobuk River from Ambler was reported at about 5:15 p.m. Sunday, June 14, 2026. The Kopshesut Fire, the much larger fire north of the Kobuk River and a mile west of Ambler, was reported on June 4, 2026. Click on map for a PDF version.

-USWFS-

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

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Categories: AK Fire Info