Home › AK Fire Info › Coordinated U.S. Wildland Fire Service Air and Ground Response Holds Notakok Fire Near Kaltag at 55 Acres

Coordinated U.S. Wildland Fire Service Air and Ground Response Holds Notakok Fire Near Kaltag at 55 Acres

By U.S. Wildland Fire Service on July 7, 2026

Smoke billows up from a forest fire as seen from an airplane flying overhead. — The contrast in fire activity is visible between the first deployment of smokejumpers on the Notakok Fire Monday afternoon and the later afternoon scene after water scoopers dropped several loads, significantly moderating fire behavior by the time the second group of smokejumpers deployed Monday evening. Photos by USWFS Alaska Smokejumpers.

Smoke wisps up from a burned area — The contrast in fire activity is visible between the first deployment of smokejumpers on the Notakok Fire Monday afternoon and the later afternoon scene after water scoopers dropped several loads, significantly moderating fire behavior by the time the second group of smokejumpers deployed Monday evening. Photos by USWFS Alaska Smokejumpers.

Smokejumpers and aircraft made strong progress on the Notakok Fire (#367) near Kaltag Monday evening. Thanks to coordinated efforts from 15 smokejumpers and water‑dropping aircraft, the fire has been held at 55 acres.

Thanks to coordinated work from smokejumpers and water‑dropping aircraft, the fire has been held at 55 acres. Smokejumpers worked well into the night to slow the fire’s spread after water‑dropping aircraft significantly cooled the fire. Today, firefighters will continue building a saw line and laying hose around the fire to keep it secured within its current perimeter. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Type 2 North Star Fire Crew was ordered to help contain and control this fire.

The lightning‑caused fire was reported by several Kaltag residents who spotted a large column of smoke rising nearby.

Another active weather day is expected in the Kaltag area, with numerous thunderstorms forecast across the region. The main concerns include outflow winds of 30 to 40 mph, prolific lightning, and the potential for heavy rain as storms move from the southeast toward the northwest. Outside of thunderstorm activity, winds should remain light from the southwest at 5 to 8 mph, with temperatures in the mid to upper 70s and minimum humidity near 35 percent. However, multiple rounds of storms this afternoon may cause rapid shifts in temperature, humidity, and winds, so crews will need to stay alert for sudden outflow boundaries.

By Wednesday, conditions are expected to moderate as a closed low brings cooler air, higher humidity, and increased chances of rain through the end of the week. Southwesterly winds will also increase on Wednesday.

Contact Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen at Elizabeth_ipsen@ios.doi.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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