The U.S. Wildland Fire Service is monitoring a fire burning in the Donnelly Training Area west of the Delta River near Delta Junction.
On Monday, June 22, the Buffalo Fire (#263) was observed exhibiting backing, torching, and running in brush and black spruce fuels. Satellite imagery estimates the fire’s size at 320 acres.
Approximately ¾ inch of rain overnight has moderated fire activity today, however, warm and dry conditions could allow fire behavior to increase again. Smoke may continue to be visible from nearby communities, but the fire is not currently threatening any communities or infrastructure.
The fire was ignited by lightning on June 21, 2026. The fire is located approximately 6.5 miles west of Milepost 257 on the Richardson Highway and is burning within a Limited Management Option Area. Under this management designation, wildfires are generally allowed to play their natural ecological role unless they threaten identified sites of value. At this time, no sites of value have been identified in the vicinity, and the fire is not staffed. It is in an area previously burned in 2015.
Because the fire is burning within a military Mississippi Impact Area, ground access is restricted. As a result, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service will continue to monitor the incident through routine reconnaissance flights.
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, US Wildland Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 