Alaska’s wildfire season is progressing from Spring’s wind driven fires in dry, fine fuels on the surface to Summer’s duff driven fires where lighting strikes ignite the decaying vegetation that make up the Boreal Forest floor and tundra areas. Slow moving thunderstorms developed across southern Alaska on Friday generating approximately 4,246 lightning strikes. As the storm front moved north there were approximately 4,356 strikes Saturday and 5,135 detected Sunday. These storms resulted in 53 new fires across the state over the three days. This past week in the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP) response area there were 43 new fires reported, 32 of those over the past three days. Not all of these fires were naturally caused. Human caused fires, many preventable, are still occurring. Preventable, human-caused fires pull firefighting resources away from those fires that cannot be avoided.
Fairbanks Emergency Communications Center (FECC) was notified of a smoke column approximately 13-miles west of Healy along the Stampede Trail on Tuesday evening, June 16. Tri-Valley Volunteer and Anderson fire departments responded along with DFFP Helitack to the Stampede Fire (#198) and discovered a 1.3-acre fire, creeping and burning in tundra. Helitack deployed its firefighters and started bucket operations. The Fairbanks Forestry Area Initial Attack Squad was requested to respond. Most of the fire was extinguished Tuesday evening. Firefighters spent the night and continued their work Wednesday. The human caused fire was contained and controlled on Wednesday and called out on Thursday.
DFFP was notified of a 0.5-acre fire on Dump Road in Hooper Bay on Tuesday, June 16. The Hooper Bay Dump Fire (#199) continued to grow and spread to the dump burning garbage. Smokejumpers were requested but then were cancelled because the fire had died down and was no longer a threat to the community.
Soldotna Public Safety Communications Center (SPSCC) was notified of a structure fire with wildland involvement in the area of Andrews Avenue in Soldotna on Tuesday, June 16. Central Emergency Services (CES) and Forestry responded to the Andrew Fire (#200) and discovered a 0.1-acre fire spreading in grass and spruce from a burning structure. Forestry firefighters suppressed and gridded the wildland portion of the fire. No areas of heat or visible smoke were found, and the fire was called out.
Mat-Su Communications Public Safety Dispatch (MatCom) was notified of a down powerline, arching, sparking and threatening the wildland in the area of Pay Dirt Road in Houston on Wednesday, June 17. Houston Fire Department and DFFP responded to the Pay Dirt Fire (#201) and found less than 0.1-acre fire smoldering in grass and brush. Responders suppressed the fire and declared the incident contained, controlled and placed in monitor status.
A large plume of smoke was reported on the north side of Sterling on Wednesday afternoon, June 17. Forestry responded to the Grandview Fire (#204) and found a 6-8-acre fire with a 100% active perimeter burning in grass and timber exhibiting isolated and group torching. Powerlines and structures were reported within a half mile of the fire, but no evacuations were deemed necessary. Air Attack coordinated water dropping helicopters, two retardant tankers and six water scooping aircraft. Gannett Glacier T2IA and Pioneer Peak Hotshot crew were requested. Three field hired dozers worked to construct dozer line on the southern flank of the fire. Alaska State Troopers worked traffic control and Homer Electric Association deenergized powerlines in the fire area. The fire was estimated to be 50 acres Wednesday evening. For more information on the response to this incident, go to AKFireInfo.com and search for the Grandview Fire.
MatCom was notified by a pilot who reported seeing smoke in the Bulchitna Lake area Wednesday, June 17, 8.5-miles east of Skwentna. Mat-Su Forestry Area Helitack responded to the Bulchitna Fire (#205) and discovered a human caused 0.5-acre fire creeping and running in mixed hardwoods and spruce. Two structures were within 0.25-mile of the fire. Helitack deployed its firefighters and connected its bucket for water dropping operations. A squad of firefighters from the Mat-Su Type 2 Crew were shuttled to the fire on a second helicopter that also conducted water dropping operations. Forward progression of the fire was stopped Wednesday evening. The Alpha Squad worked into the evening and spent the night on the fire. Thursday the crew sought out areas of heat and extinguished them with lots of water from their hose system and a water dropping helicopter. The incident commander reported the perimeter cooled and fire behavior moderated, but areas of heat were being found in tree bases and heavy, downed logs. On Friday the firefighters continued mop up operations and conducted several grid searches of the fire and surrounding green areas. No areas of heat or visible smoke was found, and the fire was called contained. Due to the numerous lightning caused fires in the Susitna Valley on Friday the Alpha Squad was demobilized to respond to fires of higher priority.
FECC was notified of a brush fire 4-miles down the Healy Spur Road on Wednesday, June 17. Tri-Valley Volunteer Fire Department and Forestry responded to the Gagnon Coal Seam Fire (#206) and discovered a 3-acre, 50% active coal seam fire smoldering in grass under light precipitation. Fairbanks Airea Forestry Helitack arrived and engaged in minimal action around the perimeter before returning to base. The fire has been placed into monitor status.
MatCom was notified of a grass fire in the area of Catalina Drive in Wasilla on Thursday, June 18. Forestry responded to the Catalina Fire (#207) and discovered a 12-by-5-feet fire beside the roadway burning in grass and shrubs. The human caused fire was extinguished and called out.
Alaska State Troopers reported a tree on a powerline in the area of Cohoe Loop and Meezie roads in Ninilchik on Thursday, June 18. Forestry responded to the Smith Donnelly Fire (#208) and discovered a 0.1-acre active, smoldering fire along the powerline. Homer Electric Association responded to deenergize the line. Firefighters suppressed the fire and gridded the area, declaring it contained, controlled and placed in monitor status.
Alaska State Troopers reported an outside fire in the area of Ballard Drive and Halbouty Road in Nikiski on Thursday, June 18. Nikiski Fire Department and Forestry responded to the Barbara Fire (#209) and discovered an unpermitted, large scale burn pile that had escaped into the wildlands. The 0.1-acre fire with a 100% active perimeter was creeping and smoldering in grass, duff, slash and timber. Nikiski’s water tender was requested to provided water to suppress the fire. The fire was contained, controlled and placed into monitor status.
Alaska State Troopers reported a fully involved structure fire in the area of Sunshine Drive in Ninilchik on Thursday, June 18. Western Emergency Services and Forestry responded to the Sunshine Fire (#210) and confirmed the structure fire was spreading into the wildlands. WES suppressed the structure fire as wildland firefighters extinguished the smoldering grass fire and gridded the area. The fire was called out.
The Anchorage Fire Department requested DFFP respond to a fire at the McHugh Creek Trailhead off the Seward Highway on Friday, June 19. Forestry assisted suppressing the McHugh Fire (#211), an escaped, unattended campfire, and mopped up the burned area. The fire is contained, controlled and placed into monitor status.
A pilot reported a fire 20 miles west of Susitna on Friday, June 19. Forestry responded to the Beluga Fire (#213) and discovered a 10-acre fire with a 100% active perimeter creeping and running in hardwoods and spruce. Helitack deployed its crew and started bucket operations. Air Attack responded with two retardant tankers and three water-scooping aircraft. Eight smokejumpers were deployed to the fire. Late Friday evening it was reported that the fire was estimated to be 40-acres and boxed in with retardant. Water dropping aircraft had slowed the spread of the fire. Firefighters remained engaged late into the evening and spent the night. For more information on the response to this incident, go to AKFireInfo.com and search for the Beluga Fire.
Talkeetna Flight Services was notified by multiple pilots of numerous smoke columns north, northeast of Talkeetna on Friday, June 19, as thunder and lightning storms slowly moved across the Susitna Valley. Mat-Su Forestry Area Helitack responded to multiple sets of coordinates for reconnaissance of smoke reports. The Trapper Fire (#214) was discovered on an island of the Talkeetna River smoldering in hardwoods and receiving light precipitation. A cabin was reported nearby. Due to multiple new lightning caused fires, and a low spread rate the helicopter continued its reconnaissance mission. On Saturday, three members of the Pioneer Peak Hotshot Crew were flown to the fire. The extinguished a smoldering, lightning struck tree and gridded the 0.1-acre fire for any remaining areas of heat. Finding none they declared the fire contained, controlled and out.
During its reconnaissance mission on Friday, June 19, Helitack discovered the Papa Bear Fire (#215) north of the Talkeetna River, just off the Intertie. There were no visible flames, just light, wispy smoke in the area. The helicopter continued its reconnaissance mission. A helicopter returned to the area on Saturday and reported not being able to find any sign of the fire. It will remain in monitor status.
East of the previous fires found Friday, June 19, Helitack discovered Birch Fire (#216) north of Sheep River. The fire was estimated to be 0.1-acre with a 30% active perimeter burning on a ridge with moderate spread potential. Due to multiple new starts in the Susitna Valley, the helicopter departed the scene to respond to higher priority incidents. Another helicopter returned later Friday and reported the fire was 0.4-acre, 20% active and backing downhill in mixed hardwoods and brush. Nothing was threatened by the fire, and it was left in monitor status. A helicopter returned Saturday and conducted bucket operations, extinguishing the 1-acre fire. It remains in monitor status.
A Forestry helicopter returning to Talkeetna Airport on Friday, June 19, discovered the Kahitna Fire (#217) 8-miles south of Talkeetna burning between a slough and the Alaska Railroad tracks. The helicopter conducted bucket operations and knocked down the flames. Wildland firefighters hiked to the fire from the Talkeetna Spur Road and found a 40-by-50-feet fire burning in cottonwoods. Scattered showers had rained on the fire, but heat remained in a large cottonwood tree that had been struck by lightning. Personnel suppressed the fire, mopped up the burned area, conducted a grid search and called the fire out.
A Forestry helicopter on a reconnaissance mission discovered the Parker Fire (#218) on Friday, June 19, 20-miles west of Susitna, putting up smoke at the edge of a lightning cell. Later Friday another helicopter returned to the fire and requested a water scooping aircraft that was diverted from a nearby fire. The plane made several drops and reported it as still smoldering. Three crew members of Pioneer Peak Hotshot Crew were flown to the fire Saturday and reported a 0.6-acre fire with minimal activity, burning in tundra and mixed hardwoods. The firefighters cut trees, mopped up the burned area and conducted a grid search for remaining heat. This fire is
A Forestry engine on patrol reported smoke 2-3 miles north of Milepost 1290 Alaska Highway on Friday, June 19. Tok Forestry Area Helitack responded to the West Fork Fire (#219) and discovered an active fire smoldering in black spruce on a ridgeline. The helitack deployed its firefighters and started bucket operations. It worked the fire until it needed fuel when it then picked up its firefighters and returned to base. It reported that the buckets were effective in knocking down the fire and keeping it within its footprint. DFFP Southwest 1 Crew, prepositioned in Tok, sent a squad to the fire Saturday. They reported the continuing to creep and smolder on the ridgetop. The squad suppressed the fire and completed a grid of the area. Finding no heat or smoke the fire was declared contained and controlled. An engine crew returned on Sunday and completed a grid search of the fire area. The fire has been called out.
Southwest Area Forestry received multiple calls about smoke in the area of Hoholitna River, southwest of Whitefish Lake on Friday, June 19. Remote thermal detection satellites have mapped the position of the Hoholitna Fire (#220). The fire will be in monitor status as resources are focused on higher priority fires.
MatCom was notified of a structure fire off the West Susitna Parkway in Big Lake on Saturday, June 20. Forestry responded to the W Fox Loop Fire (#221) for possible wildland involvement. A 0.2-acre of wildland involvement was found that burned in grass, hardwoods and hazardous material. The fire was called out.
Members of Tanana Chiefs T2 IA Crew on patrol Saturday afternoon, June 20, reported black smoke visible. Delta Foresty Area Helitack was launched and discovered the Granite Fire (#222) actively burning in grass and spruce about 17 miles east of Delta Junction in the agricultural project near Clearwater Creek. Helitack started bucket operations and ordered Air Attack, retardant tankers, water scooping aircraft, an initial attack dozer, White Mountain T2IA and Tanana Chiefs T2IA crews. An additional Helitack responded with its crew and water dropping bucket. The fire was 60% contained by 10:30 PM. For more information on the response to this incident, go to AKFireInfo.com and search for Granite Fire.
Pogo Mine Fire Department reported smoke visible looking from Mile 37 Pogo Road into the Salcha drainage Saturday, June 20. Delta Forestry Area helicopter responded to the area but was unable to find the Pogo Fire (#223). Scattered rain showers were moving through the area at the time. A helicopter returned Sunday and found the 2-acre fire creeping and single tree torching on the south side of South Fork Salcha River. No hazards and no resources threatened by the fire that will be monitored.
Alaska State Troopers Reported a brush fire in the area of Commerce Street in Soldotna on Saturday, June 20. Forestry responded to the Commerce Fire (#224) and discovered an 8-by-8-feet debris pile with escapement into the wildlands. The fire was 100% active, creeping and smoldering in brush. Wildland firefighters suppressed the fire, gridded the area and declared the fire contained, controlled and placed in monitor status.
A Delta Forestry Area patrol responding to the Pogo Mine Fire Department report of smoke visible from the mine road Saturday, June 20, found the Shaw Fire (#226) in the Shaw Creek drainage. The helicopter looking for the Pogo Fire (#223) confirmed the fire was southeast of Shaw Creek about 2-miles off the mine road at mile 28. The fire was 100% active, creeping and smoldering in tundra and mature spruce. No hazards and no resources threatened by the fire that will be monitored.
Remote thermal detection satellites mapped an area approximately 15-miles north of McGrath on Saturday, June 20. A Southwest Forestry Area Helitack responded and located the Nixon Fire (#227) between the Nixon Fork River and Ivy Creek burning in spruce. The Helitack crew was deployed and the helicopter started bucket operations. Air Attack coordinated single-engine scoopers making water drops to reduce fire intensity. The five firefighters remained on the fire overnight and continued suppression efforts Sunday. The fire is estimated to be 12-acres.
A pilot reported a fire 8-miles northeast of Bethel on Saturday, June 20. Smokejumpers responded to the Kepangalook Fire (#230) and reported a 6-7-acre fire with a 60-70% active perimeter, smoldering and creeping in tundra. Six jumpers were deployed and worked to secure the perimeter. The fire was contained and controlled Saturday evening under light precipitation and placed into monitor status. The smokejumpers were picked up Sunday and taken to Bethel by helicopter where Jump-90 flew them to Galena.
Alaska State Troopers reported a brush fire in the woods in the area of Lake Road in Soldotna on Saturday, June 20. Central Emergency Services and Forestry responded to the Flycatcher Fire (#231) where they discovered a 0.1-acre fire smoldering in duff, grass, and brush. The fire was extinguished, contained, controlled and placed into monitor status.
A caller reported a lightning strike followed by a column of smoke in the area of Milepost 323 Parks Highway on Saturday evening, June 20. Forestry engines and Helitack responded to the Tanana Fire (#232) where they found a 0.1- acre fire creeping in tundra and black spruce with a 100% active perimeter. An Alaska Native Allotment was within 1.5-miles and multiple cabins within 3-miles. Smokejumpers were requested and two were deployed to the fire. The two set up their pump and hose system to start extinguishing hot spots and had the fire contained late in the evening. Sunday, the smokejumpers gridded multiple times for any remaining areas of heat. They cleared a landing zone for a helicopter to pick them up. After gridding one final time before being picked up, they called the fire out and demobilized from the fire.
FECC was notified of a fire behind the elementary school in the City of Anderson on Saturday evening, June 20. Anderson Fire Department and Forestry resources responded to the Starry Fire (#234) and discovered an estimated 100-acre fire burning actively in black spruce and hardwoods exhibiting crowning characteristics. Helitack immediately ordered Air Attack, retardant tankers, water scooping aircraft, an initial attack dozer, Fairbanks 1 Crew and an Initial Attack Squad. Pioneer Peak Hotshot Crew responded and ten smokejumpers were deployed. The Denali Borough issued a GO! Evacuation order for the City of Anderson asking residents to leave now. For more information on the response to this incident, go to AKFireInfo.com and search for Starry Fire.
While responding to fires in the area, Helitack reported a fire 2-miles northwest of the City of Anderson on Saturday evening, June 20. A load of smokejumpers was requested to respond to the Lost Fire (#236) a 0.1-acre fire creeping and smoldering in black spruce. The jumpers recommended using the water scooping aircraft already in the area for the Starry Fire as a safer alternative. The smokejumpers were deployed to the Starry Fire instead.
Water scooping aircraft responding to fires in the area reported a fire 43 miles north of McGrath on Saturday, June 20. Air Attack responded to the Nowitna Fire (#237) and discovered a 300-acre fire creeping, smoldering and running in black spruce. The fire was plotted in a Limited Management area and was placed in monitor status.
A report of smoke visible on the southwest side of Mount Joaquin, 31.5-miles southwest of McGrath, was made Saturday, June 20. Air Attack responded to the Joaquin Fire (#238) and discovered an active 5-acre fire smoldering, creeping, backing, and exhibiting isolated torching in tundra and black spruce in the middle of the valley. Alaska Native Allotments were 2-miles to the north. Smokejumpers and retardant tankers were requested. The tankers were not available due to their response to the Starry Fire. Smokejumpers responded and deployed six firefighters. On Sunday, the smokejumpers continued their containment efforts for the fire. Air Attack managed two water scooping aircraft as they assisted with suppression efforts. The smokejumpers remain on the 15-acre fire Sunday night. No growth is anticipated.
Fairbanks Flight Services was notified of a fire 12 nautical miles west of Gold King airstrip on Saturday, June 20. Air Attack responded to the Tatlanika Fire (#246) and reported a 3-5-acre fire running in tundra and black spruce. There are no values at risk from the fire, and it has been placed in monitor status.
A reconnaissance aircraft reported a 25-acre fire along the Dishna River, 26.5-miles northwest of Ophir on Saturday, June 20. The Dishna Fire (#247) is located in a Limited Management area and has been placed into monitor status.
A report of smoke was made after a thunder cell passed 3 miles south of Flat on Sunday, June 21. Helitack responded to the Chicken Fire (#250) and found a 0.25-0.5-acre fire exhibiting minimal activity in black spruce. Helitack deployed its crew and started bucket operations containing the fire. The firefighters gridded and cold trailed the burned area and extinguished all areas of found heat bringing the fire under control and placed it in monitor status. Helitack demobilized from the fire.
A floater on the Chena River called to report a lightning strike caused fire in the area of Milepost 30 Chena Hot Springs Road on Sunday, June 21. Forestry Helitack, an engine and the U.S. Forest Service Tongass Small Module responded to the Twin Bear Fire (#253) and found an active fire creeping in black spruce. The fire was within 1 mile of cabins and within three miles of multiple others. Smokejumpers were requested and eight were deployed to the fire. There were 23 firefighters engaged in the initial attack of the fire. Helitack completed its bucket operations and returned to base with its firefighters to be in position to respond to new fires as lightning continued to strike across the Interior. The DFFP engine and its crewmembers were released. The smokejumpers and SMOD continued cutting sawline around the fire into the early evening. The smokejumpers were eventually released and returned to their base leaving the eight members of the SMOD spending the night to complete containment and mop up operations. The fire is estimated to be 0.56 acres.
MatCom was notified of a grass fire running uphill at Milepost 36 Glenn Highway on Sunday, June 21. Forestry responded to the Matanuska Fire (#255) and discovered a fire creeping and running uphill. Helitack deployed its crew and started bucket operations as responding engine crews began suppression efforts. The 0.32-acre fire was contained, controlled and placed in monitor status. Prevention officers investigated and determined the cause was an unattended burning trash pile.
Remote thermal detection satellites mapped coordinates approximately 9.5-miles east of McGrath on Sunday, June 21. Forestry responded to the Vanderpool Fire (#256) and found a 5-acre fire with a 100% active perimeter creeping with isolated tree torching burning in tundra and black spruce. Helitack deployed its firefighters and started bucket operations. A lead plane and two retardant tankers responded and made multiple drops, boxing in the fire that had grown to 10-acres. The four members of the Helitack crew worked into the evening to extinguish interior hot spots. They reported fire activity moderating in the evening as thunderstorms with outflow winds moved through the area. The retardant perimeter was holding as the firefighters prepared to camp for the night.
A lightning strike followed by a column of smoke was reported east of Delta Junction in the agricultural project Sunday, June 21. Helitack responded to the Barley 2 Fire (#257) and deployed its crew to the 1-acre fire creeping and running in spruce. The helicopter conducted bucket operations for a fuel cycle stopping the forward progression of the fire. All resources departed the incident Sunday evening. Fire managers working on the nearby Granite Fire (#222) will develop a response plan for Monday.
Air Attack reported a lightning strike fire approximately 2.5 miles northwest of Anderson, north of the Kobe Agriculture area Sunday evening, June 21. The Type 3 Incident Management Organization assigned to the Starry Fire (235) will develop a response to the Seventeenmile Fire (#258) on Monday.
A caller reported smoke after seeing several lightning strikes south of the 2024 McDonald Fire burned area about 15-miles south of Salcha on Sunday evening, June 21. A Fairbanks Forestry Area helicopter responded to the Flag Fire (#260) and reported a 1.5-acre fire torching and crowning in black spruce. The fire is located in a Limited Management area and will be monitored.
While responding to Flag Fire (#260) on Sunday evening, June 21, the reconnaissance helicopter discovered the Chisholm Fire (#261) about five miles to the southwest. The estimated 3-acre fire was observed with a 40% active perimeter creeping in tundra and hardwoods. It is also located in a Limited Management area and will be monitored.
While performing a cargo mission to the Nixon Fire (#227) on Sunday evening, June 21, a DFFP helicopter discovered the Takotna Fire (#264) about 18-miles north of McGrath. The 1-acre fire was observed creeping with isolated singe tree torching along the perimeter in muskeg and black spruce. Due to a lack of resources and higher priorities, the fire will be monitored until resources become available.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DFFP)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 