Overview: The US Wildland Fire Service presently has staff on 5 fires, including 4 in the Tanana Zone and one in the Upper Yukon Zone. The USWFS is consolidating management of numerous fires in the vicinity of the Elliott Highway: Applegate Fire (#235), Hutlitakwa Fire (#240), Starvation Fire (#241), Goose Fire (#242), Truce Fire (#243), and Lochenyatth Fire (#249). These will become part of the Elliott Complex and managed by a USWFS Type 3 team. The team is in-brifieng today and will assume command on Tuesday, June 23.

An estimated 13,737 lightning strikes have been recorded in the state since Friday; 40 new fires have been identified since Saturday. Fuels remain very dry and are receptive to burning. More new fires may be still be identified from these storms. Holdover or sleeper fires may smolder below the surface for several days after lightning strikes, until temperatures warm, vegetation dries, and wind breathes life into the smoldering hot spot.

Weather: Red Flag Warnings were extended through 10pm on Monday for interior to eastern Alaska due to thunderstorms with abundant lightning and dry fuels.

Staffed Fire Updates:

The Canyon Fire (#174) had moderate activity on the western edge yesterday, as the terrain-driven fire continued to generate lots of smoke as it backed through mixed hardwoods, with occasional single-tree torching. The fire also moved toward the south. It is estimated at 462 acres. USWFS Smokejumpers and Chena Hotshots continue to improve control lines and set hose lays to protect two Native allotments, cabins, and a fish camp in the vicinity. These areas of point protection are still not immediately threatened by the fire, but conditions remain favorable for fire growth. Rampart is the nearest community, which is approximately 20 miles east of the fire and south of the Yukon River. Smoke is visible to both boaters and aviators traveling the Yukon River corridor.

Single-engine water scooping aircraft worked on the Applegate Fire (#235) yesterday, substantially assisting the smokejumpers on the ground to hold the fire in check. The North Stars Type 2 Fire Crew arrived on Sunday and began work on control line. The fire is located northeast of Manly and northwest of Minto and is estimated at approximately 80 acres. It is creeping and smoldering, with isolated torching. Today firefighters are continuing work to secure the fire perimeter, set up a hose lay, and cool hot spots.

Heavy rain fell on the Hutlitakwa Fire (#240) on Sunday morning, which rapidly cooled the fire area and moderated fire behavior. USWFS Smokejumpers were able to complete a control line 5 feet wide around the fire yesterday. Today they are working on a hose lay to secure the fire perimeter and cool hot spots. The Nulato 2 Type 2 Crew has been ordered and is in route to assist with this incident. This fire is also located northeast of Manley and northwest of Minto and is estimated at approximately 7 acres.

The Truce Fire (#243) is located northeast of Manley and north of Minto and is estimated at approximately 50 acres. 12 USWFS smokejumpers are working on this fire securing the perimeter. The Nulato 1 Type 2 Crew has been ordered and is in route to assist with identifying hot spots and securing the fire perimeter.

The Chotzatdhah Fire (#262) was reported on Sunday. USWFS Smokejumpers were deployed for initial attack for this 30-acre fire, assisted by air attack and 3 single-engine water scooping aircraft. Firefighters made good progress securing the edge last night.  Today they are searching for hot spots and securing the flanks.

Contact Public Information Officer Joan Kluwe at Joan_Kluwe@firenet.gov or (907)356-5510 for more information.

-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