Twenty-four smokejumpers were deployed to the Siruk Fire (#340) yesterday. It was actively burning in tundra tussocks and scattered spruce trees, with the head of the fire moving to the east. Single and multi-engine scoopers dropped loads of water on the fire as smokejumpers worked on the flanks. The initial attack was very effective in slowing the fire spread. Firefighters achieved 25% containment of the fire as of early this morning. It is estimated at 550 acres.
Today, firefighters will continue to secure the flanks of the fire and search for hot spots. Fire activity typically has an uptick in the afternoon, as temperatures warm. Helicopters with water scooping buckets are available to assist crews on the ground today.
This fire was detected late on Tuesday, June 30, as U.S. Wildland Fire Service aircraft were returning to base for the night. The prolific lightning storms from last week were the likely source of ignition. The fire is located on the Alatna River, approximately 23 miles northwest of Allakaket. Two Native allotments are located nearby; one is approximately a mile north and another is estimated 4 miles northeast. Both are presently protected by the river; neither is threatened by the fire at this time.
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 