More Firefighters Heading to Ambler for Jade Fire

By U.S. Wildland Fire Service on June 24, 2026

Two people look out from an open airplane door at smoke rising up from a forest fire below. — A smokejumper spotter and another smokejumper look at the Jade Fire (#285) burning west of Ambler. They were flying over the fire area at about 8:54 p.m. June 23, 2026 while the load of 11 smokejumpers were responding to the fire. Photo by Isaiah Fischer, USWFS Alaska Smokejumper

Water‑scooping airplanes and 23 smokejumpers working on the Jade Fire (#285) worked into the early morning hours and successfully slowed the fire burning about 5 miles west of Ambler. It was estimated at 65 acres and was actively torching in heavy fuels, moving toward the nearly 1,500 acres burned by the Kopshesut Fire that threatened Ambler earlier this month. The fire has not reached the landfill.

After spending several days helping contain the Kopshesut Fire, the Midnight Sun Hotshots are returning to the Kobuk River community to assist firefighters already working on the Jade Fire. Smokejumpers, supported by the two water scoopers, will continue working to establish a control line around the fire today.

It will be a busy day in the air, with both tactical aircraft and supply aircraft flying to support the fire and move crews into Ambler and the fire area. Please do not fly drones. If a drone is in the air, our aircraft cannot fly.

Fire managers expect another day of critical fire weather with hot, dry, and breezy conditions. Because the weather has been warm and dry, the fire is burning deeper into the ground than with the earlier fires in the area, which makes it harder to extinguish. Please avoid any outdoor burning, use caution with anything that can ignite a fire — even a small spark can start a wildfire in these conditions.

The Jade Fire was reported Tuesday afternoon by several people who saw a large column of smoke rising from an area past the landfill — the same location where the Kopshesut Fire originated on June 4.

Another fire, the Kugachevk Fire (#193), ignited by lightning on June 14 about 3 miles south of Ambler on the opposite side of the Kobuk River. This small fire was contained within a few days thanks to rainfall and the efforts of a few firefighters who diverted from work on the Kopshesut Fire.

PREDICTED WEATHER — Critical fire weather continues today on the Jade Fire. Expect temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s, very low humidity in the mid‑20% range, and increasing northwest winds by mid‑morning. Winds of 10–14 mph with gusts near 20 mph will push the fire east. Conditions will be near Red Flag levels, and no rain is expected. Similar hot, dry, and breezy weather will continue through the week. Some moisture may reach northwest Alaska this weekend, bringing cooler temperatures and slightly higher humidity.

AIR QUALITY — At this time, smoke from the Jade Fire has not significantly drifted into Ambler, but residents should stay alert to changing conditions and take steps to protect their health if smoke moves into the community. Find more air quality information at https://dec.alaska.gov/air/anpms/wildfire-smoke/. Both wildfire smoke and, if the Jade Fire reaches the landfill, smoke from burning trash contain fine particles and other pollutants that can be harmful to people’s health. These particles can irritate the eyes and lungs and are especially dangerous for Elders, young children, and people with heart or respiratory conditions. Even short‑term exposure can worsen breathing problems.

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)388-2159 for more information.

Estimate average corrected.