The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Midnight Sun Hotshots helped nearly two dozen smokejumpers complete a hose lay around the Jade Fire (#285) on Wednesday. Firefighters on the ground were supported by water‑scooping airplanes. The fire is burning about 5 miles west of Ambler. It is estimated at 67 acres and is west of the nearly 1,500-acres burned by the Kopshesut Fire that threatened Ambler earlier this month.

Smokejumpers and hotshots will improve the control line around the fire today and begin to mop up, identifying and putting out any remaining hotspots near the edge. Logistics aircraft will be in the air again today, flying to support firefighters. There are multiple tactical aircraft — single-engine and multi-engine water scoopers — prepositioned in Galena in case they are needed for this fire or new fires that may start in Western Alaska. Please do not fly drones. If a drone is in the air, aircraft cannot fly.

This part of Alaska is among the hottest and driest in the state, with red flag warnings in effect for the Upper Kobuk and Lower Koyukuk Valleys today. This means conditions could lead to the development of large and dangerous fires.

With recent and forecast lightning in the region, additional starts could emerge in the coming days. The Mud Fire, which started on Wednesday 35 miles east of Kaltag, was very active and reported at 15 acres. However, it is burning in a Limited Management Option Area and, unless it threatens sites identified for protection, it is allowed to perform its natural ecological function.

The Jade Fire was reported on Tuesday 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. The fire has not reached the landfill.

PREDICTED WEATHER

A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 10 p.m. Thursday for the Upper Kobuk and Lower Koyukuk valleys due to temperatures in the 80s, low relative humidities, and wind gusts up to 25 mph. These hot, dry and windy conditions can cause rapid fire growth. Please avoid any outdoor burning and use caution with anything that can ignite a fire — even a small spark can start a wildfire in these conditions. 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, contact Public Information Officer Geoff Liesik at geoff_liesik@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, US Wildland Fire Service

Tags: 2026 Alaska Fire Season, Jade Fire, Kopshesut Fire