Cool, wet, and breezy conditions are expected across much of Alaska for the next few days. Ran is reducing fire concerns in much of the state. However, Southcentral Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula remain drier and could have higher resistance to fire control.
With cooler temperatures and increased moisture, work on several fires managed by the U.S. Wildland Fire Service is wrapping up this weekend. Firefighters will return to their home units or request reassignment.
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) experienced no growth and minimal fire activity Saturday thanks to the arrival of rain and cooler temperatures. Today, the Alaska Range Suppression Module from Denali National Park plans to scout known sites in the area — weather permitting — to develop additional information about what it would take to protect those sites if they are threatened by fire. A U.S. Forest Service uncrewed aircraft system module from Boise, Idaho, is also planning to use its drone today to conduct infrared mapping of the fire perimeter. This mission is dependent on weather conditions, which are expected to remain rainy at times.
The Polly Fire was detected on June 20 following abundant lightning. 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, and do not stop on the highway in the fire area.
Four smokejumpers completed work to protect the remaining structures near the Betula Fire (#266) on Saturday. They are scheduled to leave the fire today to prepare for their next assignment. The fire will be monitored from the air. This is the final update for this incident, barring unanticipated changes in fire activity.
Crews on the Mailbox Fire (#290) continue work cutting and improving the containment line and cooling hot spots near the fire perimeter. Last night a drizzle settled over the fire area, estimated at 155 acres and 50% containment. Minimal fire activity was observed yesterday with some smoke lingering in the fire interior. The Tatanka and Pike Hot Shot crews and the Mammoth Wildland Fire Module are assigned to this incident. It is located approximately 14 miles west of milepost 146 on the Dalton Highway and 16 miles northeast of Bettles.
Firefighters continue to improve the containment line around the Kanuti Fire (#304), seeking out hot spots near the edge of the burned area. Fires in this area are notoriously resistant to control, often burning deep into the peat. Natural water features border portions of the fire area, aiding containment. The fire remains at approximately 75 acres and is estimated at 70 percent containment. A heavy rain moved into the fire area last night approximately 9 miles southeast of Allakaket. A Native allotment is located approximately 1 mile to the east and is not threatened by the fire at this time.
Smokejumpers contained the Smally Fire (#307) yesterday, which was a 30-acre fire burning in tundra with a spruce and hardwood mix. They will demobilize today, returning to Fairbanks.
The Mingkoket (#321) and Chalatna (#323) fires were detected late last night. They are located very close to each other and are approximately 7 to 8 miles east of Kanuti Fire (#304) and 24 miles southeast of Allakaket. Native allotments are within 5 miles of the fire, but are not threatened at this time. The fire was creeping and smoldering, producing visible smoke in an area of tundra and spruce. Smokejumpers were deployed between the two fires and are working on both. The Mingkoket Fire was estimated at 2 acres and Chalatna was estimated at 6 acres. Rain moved into the area last night and continues today, cooling the fires and moderating fire activity.
Sixteen smokejumpers deployed to the Canoe Fire (#328) late last night. The fire was burning in a mix of tundra and spruce. They were able to get a control line completely around the fire before it moved into an area of spruce. Rain moved into the area last night, cooling the fire. Firefighters will continue work on this 50 acre fire today, improving control line and seeking out hot spots.
Elliott Complex – Firefighters continue to grid, seeking out and cooling remaining hotspots.
Applegate Fire (#235) –The USWFS North Star Type 2 Fire Crew is almost finished walking grid lines within the fire area, estimated at approximately 110 acres and 75% containment.
Work on the Starvation Fire (#241) is finished. Crews are returning to other fires in the complex today.
Truce Fire (#243) – The Nulato Hills 1 and 2 Type 2 Contract Crews continue 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 