Lightning activity is expected to diminish throughout Alaska this weekend. Thunderstorms with lightning are still forecast for today, particularly in the northeast portion of the state. Later in the day, a low-pressure system will bring cooler temperatures, rain, and wind throughout the weekend. Fire weather conditions are expected to improve for the next several days.
Firefighters continue working along the Elliott and Taylor highways in central and eastern Interior. Please watch for and yield to firefighting traffic. Particularly for the Taylor Highway area, do not stop on the highway to look at the fire.
Staffed Fire Updates:
Crews are nearing completion on point protection for the Native allotments, cabins, and fish camp in the vicinity of the Canyon Fire (#174). Fire behavior yesterday was minimal, and rain is forecast for the area this weekend. The burned area is estimated at 1001 acres. The areas of point protection are not immediately threatened by the fire. Rampart, the nearest community, is approximately 20 miles east of the fire and south of the Yukon River.
The Polly Fire (#228) received a small amount of rain Friday and temperatures were cooler, which helped reduce fire activity. No growth was reported. The Alaska Range Suppression Module from Denali National Park completed structure protection work at one site and scouted another site to determine what needs to be done to protect the structure there. They also located a route to safely access the fire near Polly Creek. The fire remains west of the creek, which is about 1/3 mile from the Taylor Highway near milepost 110 in the Fortymile country.
A U.S. Forest Service Uncrewed Aircraft System Module from Boise, Idaho, used its drone Friday to conduct flights that provided fire managers with valuable information about the fire’s progression and activity.
Today, the Alaska Range Module will hike and use a boat to access the fire’s edge along Polly Creek to more accurately assess the fire’s exact location, size, and potential for growth. The UAS module will use its drone as needed to support the Alaska Range Module.
The Polly Fire was detected on June 20 after significant lightning moved through the area. It is about 21 miles north of Chicken and 35 miles south of Eagle. Smoke may be visible along the Taylor Highway corridor and in nearby communities. Please watch for and yield to firefighting traffic in the area, and do not stop on the highway to look at the fire.
Work to protect two cabins from the Betula Fire (#266) was completed on Friday. Four smokejumpers will finish working to protect the remaining cabins in the area. Eight others are expected to be flown off the fire today so they can get ready for their next assignment. The Betula Fire is burning about 21 miles southeast of Central in an area that was impacted by the 2025 Buckley Bar Fire and has heavy dead and down timber. It is estimated at 75 acres.
Due to the aggressive initial attack on the Mailbox Fire (#290), it still remains within the current perimeter, estimated at 155 acres. Minimal fire activity was observed yesterday with some smoke lingering in the fire interior. Firefighters are making good progress cutting control line and establishing hose lays. The Tatanka and Pike Hot Shot crews are working with the Mammoth Wildland Fire Module on the incident today. Containment is estimated at 15%. It is located approximately 14 miles west of milepost 146 on the Dalton Highway and 16 miles northeast of Bettles.
Smokejumpers and air resources continue work on the Kanuti Fire (#304) approximately 9 miles southeast of Allakaket and 1 mile east of a Native allotment. Fires in this area are notoriously resistant to control, often burning deep into the peat. Firefighters are using natural water features in their containment strategy. After yesterday’s initial attack work, the fire was estimated at 75 acres with substantially moderated fire behavior.
Smokejumpers were sent for initial attack on the Smally Fire (#307) yesterday, which was burning in tundra with a spruce and hardwood mix. They began cutting line around the 30-acre fire and seeking out hot spots. Containment is estimated at 50%.
Elliott Complex – Firefighters continue to grid, seeking out and cooling remaining hotspots.
- Applegate Fire (#235) – Little heat remains on this fire as smokejumpers and the USWFS North Star Type 2 Fire Crew continue walking grid lines within the fire area, estimated at approximately 110 acres. Approximately half of the grid is complete.
- Fire activity at the Starvation Fire (#241) is diminished. Crews are walking grid lines today.
- Truce Fire (#243) – The Nulato Hills 1 and 2 Type 2 Contract Crews are walking grid lines today on this 50-acre fire area.
- Hutlitakwa (#240) is 100% contained. Goose (#242) and Lochenyatth (#249) fires are in monitor status.
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, US Wildland Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 