Two dozen smokejumpers had the Siruk Fire (#340) 30% contained at the end of their shift Thursday night. The fire is estimated at 550 acres and continues to burn in tundra tussocks and scattered spruce trees.
Work on Thursday focused on the east and north sides of the fire, where smokejumpers put in control lines and targeted hotspots. Today, firefighters will continue to secure the control lines along the fire’s edge as they move toward full containment. The primary concern is the possibility that outflow winds from passing thunderstorms could push the fire beyond the control lines. They will be able to call in water drops from helicopters if needed.
The lightning-sparked Siruk Fire was detected late on June 30 by U.S. Wildland Fire Service aircraft. Smokejumpers were sent to the fire — located on the Alatna River about 23 miles northwest of Allakaket — early the next day and were supported by water-scooping planes during initial attack. Two Native allotments are nearby; one is about a mile north and another is an estimated 4 miles northeast. The fire is not currently threatening either allotment.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, US Wildland Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 