Firefighters Working to Suppress 2 Fires Near Ruby

By U.S. Wildland Fire Service on June 27, 2026

Two columns of wildfire smoke are shown rising from the ground in a photo taken from an airplane. The Yukon River is seen in the foreground. — *The Big Fire (#313) and the Cecil Fire (#315), burning near Ruby, are seen from the air on June 26, 2026. Photo by Ryan McPherson, U.S. Wildland Fire Service*

Nearly two dozen smokejumpers supported by multiple water-scooping aircraft are working to fully suppress two fires that were detected Friday afternoon near Ruby.

The Big Fire (#313), which was previously named the Little Fire, and the Cecil Fire (#315) are separated by less than a mile. They are about 11 miles east of Ruby and 5 miles south of Ninemile Slough near Big Creek in a Full protection area. Both fires were moving to the southeast, away from the community and the nearby Native allotments.

The Big Fire is estimated at 260 acres, while the Cecil Fire is estimated at 400 acres.

Firefighters initially reported active fire behavior with crowning — fire burning from treetop to treetop — and spotting — sparks or embers being carried by the wind ahead of the main flaming front — for both fires. By midnight, reduced fire activity was reported, with isolated torching and moderate rates of spread.

An order has been placed for additional crews and aircraft for Saturday. Smoke from both fires is visible from Ruby.

(NOTE: The Big Fire (#313) is named for nearby Big Creek. The name was changed from Little Fire, which had already been used for another incident this year.)

For updated fire information, visit Alaska Wildland Fire Information (akfireinfo.com). Contact Public Information Officer Geoff Liesik at geoff_liesik@firenet.gov or (907) 356-5510 for more information.