Another holdover fire was detected yesterday resulting from the prolific lightning storms last week. It is in the upper Koyukuk River Basin, approximately 20 miles northwest of Allakaket. Holdover fires are lightning‑caused ignitions that may smolder for days. Fire managers continue to monitor for additional holdover fires as temperatures warm, vegetation dries, and winds increase.
Work is concluding on many of the 10 fires staffed by the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. Today several more fires are returning firefighters to their home units or to assignments in other areas.
Temperatures are warming across much of Interior Alaska today, drying fuels. The Galena area and Seward Peninsula of Western Alaska remains dry. The highest fire danger is presently on the Kenai Peninsula. Rain may return for the holiday weekend.
Staffed Fire Updates:
This is the final update for these fires, barring unanticipated changes in fire activity.
The Polly Fire (#228) received light rain for about an hour on Tuesday, and more rain began falling overnight. This is expected to keep fire activity to a minimum for a fourth straight day. No smoke was visible Tuesday, and the fire has not experienced any growth since June 26.
The level of the Fortymile River dropped enough on Tuesday to allow the Alaska Range Suppression Module from Denali National Park and Preserve to scout known sites along the river northwest of the fire. They completed structure protection at one site. More sprinklers were delivered Tuesday night, which will allow the module to protect additional structures in the area from potential fire impacts.
The 120-acre Polly Fire was detected on June 20 following abundant lightning. It is about 21 miles north of Chicken and 35 miles south of Eagle. There is one cabin within a mile of the fire. More cabins and mining camps are within 3 miles.
The Mailbox Fire (#290) is classified as controlled this morning and remains at an estimated 155 acres. The remaining firefighters are demobilizing from the incident today. It is located approximately 14 miles west of milepost 146 on the Dalton Highway and 16 miles northeast of Bettles.
The Henshaw Fire (#334) is estimated at 2 acres and is classified as controlled this morning. Smokejumpers are demobilizing from the fire today. It is located 11 northeast of Allakaket and 7 miles southeast of Sozhekla Fire #328.
Elliott Complex –The Applegate Fire (#235) was classified as 100% contained yesterday and the remaining firefighters are demobilizing from the incident today. The fire is estimated at 110 acres. The Hutlitakwa (#240), Starvation (#241), and Tractor (#314) fires are declared out. The Truce Fire (#243) is controlled. 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 