The U.S. Wildland Fire Service presently has staff on the Canyon, Polly, Betula, and Shorty fires, and three of the six fires that make up the Elliott Complex northwest of Minto. A separate update will be provided for a new fire near Ambler that was reported last night.
Strong thunderstorms moved across the central interior of Alaska again on Friday, bringing prolific lightning, heavy rain, and high wind gusts. Overall, cloud cover and rain cooled fires and moderated fire growth and activity. Fuels in the northern interior are very dry and remain receptive to burning, while rain moistened fuels in the southern interior and southcentral Alaska. Thunderstorms with lightning activity are forecast again today for western interior Alaska.
Wildfire activity in Alaska has increased and drone activity in the vicinity of wildfires is also increasing. As curious as you may be about fire activity, IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T! Please help keep our firefighters and firefighting aircraft safe. Don’t be the reason why a firefighting mission has to divert. Flying drones in the vicinity of firefighting aircraft or active wildfires is not safe.
Staffed Fire Updates:
Numerous thunder cells were active in the vicinity of the Canyon Fire (#174) on Tuesday. Even though not much rain fell in the area from these storms, heavy cloud cover helped to moderate fire activity. The fire map has not changed since yesterday, but calculations now estimate the area at 879 acres. A Type 2 Module will arrive at the fire today to assist with improving control lines and setting hose lays to protect two Native allotments, cabins, and a fish camp. 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.
The Polly Fire (#228) was detected on June 20, after a significant lightning event. It is located approximately 21 miles north of Chicken and 35 miles south of Eagle, near Milepost 110 on the Taylor Highway. The fire is only 1/3 mile west of the highway, just west of Polly Creek. The USWFS Alaska Range Suppression Module arrived at the fire last night to protect life and structures in the vicinity of the fire, which is burning in a Limited Management Option Area. They scouted the fire and will be meeting with local property owners today to discuss structure protection needs. Smoke may be visible from the Taylor Highway corridor and communities in the vicinity. Please watch for and yield to firefighting traffic in the area.
Firefighters have secured the heel of the Betula Fire (#266). Water scooping aircraft and helicopters with buckets have helped to cool the fire, working late into the night on Tuesday. Firefighters are installing hose lays and are working on the left flank today. Wetting rains missed this fire yesterday but scattered thunderstorms with rain are forecast for today. The fire remains at approximately 35 acres, burning heavy dead and down timber, and is still considered 0% contained. It is located 21 miles southeast of Central.
No growth was reported on the Shorty Fire (#271) on Monday. It is located approximately 7 miles southeast of Livengood and is estimated at 7 acres. Smokejumpers completed a control line around the fire and suppressed a small spot fire in the vicinity. Fire activity is presently described as smoldering and creeping. Today firefighters are seeking out hot spots in the fire area before they can begin mop-up work.
Six fires in the vicinity of the Elliott Highway about 60 miles northwest of Fairbanks were grouped as the Elliott Complex to efficiently consolidate resources and response. The complex includes the Applegate (#235), Hutlitakwa (#240), Starvation (#241), Goose (#242), Truce (#243), and Lochenyatth (#249) fires. Only three of the fires are staffed. Rain has cooled all of these fires; they are smoldering as firefighters continue to seek out and cool remaining hotspots.
The Applegate Fire (#235) Smokejumpers and the USWFS North Stars Type 2 Fire Crew continue work on this fire, estimated at approximately 110 acres, with approximately 50% containment.
The Hutlitakwa Fire (#240) is 100% contained.
The Nulato 1 and 2 Type 2 Contract Crews are working on hotspots and mop-up at the Truce Fire (#243), estimated at approximately 50 acres.
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: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, UAS/Drones, US Wildland Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 