Author Archives
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Chalkyitsik Complex: drone footage of firefighters pouncing on spot fire behind the fireline
This short video clip from BLM Alaska Fire Service drone pilot Joe Don Morton shows firefighters on the ground quickly responding to extinguish a spot fire located by the unmanned aerial system, that is assigned to the Chalkyitsik Complex of… Read More ›
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Upper Yukon Zone: Higher humidity keep fire activity minimal
The Upper Yukon Zone has 58 active fires, with a total for the year of 74, that have burned over a million acres. The dryness of the duff layer, a blanket on the forest floor of spruce needles and tundra,… Read More ›
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Chalkyitsik Complex: minimal growth, replacement fire crews arrive
Today, fire crews from Missouri, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are arriving in Chalkyitsik and North Dakota and Chief Mountain crews are returning to Fairbanks for flights back to the Lower 48. Fire fuels are still extremely dry and can transition to… Read More ›
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Backhaul and rehab beginning – Hess Creek Fire Update 7/28/19
Yesterday crews began removing sprinkler systems from remote structures with a very low threat from the fire. They also began doing rehab work around these structures. Along the Elliot Highway and Livengood area, they were assessing the hazard of dead… Read More ›
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Smoke Outlook: 7/28-7/29: Expect haze in Denali National Park, Mat-Su and Susitna Valleys
While fire activity remains minimal due to rains and higher relative humidity across the state, lightning from widespread thunderstorms could result in new fires in the Upper Yukon Valley due to drought conditions that persist there. Overnight haze will occur… Read More ›
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Video Update: Continued Hot and Dry Weather Patterns in the Yukon Flats Contribute to the 496,276 Acre Chalkyitsik Complex
Northeast Alaska needs rain. Inches and inches of rain to soak into the extremely dry tundra where surface water lakes have dried up and river levels are low due to the lack of rainfall during the 2019 summer. Over 2,200,000… Read More ›
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Southwest Alaska Area Fire Information Update – July 27
Scattered showers across Southwest Alaska are expected to continue into next week, bringing much needed rain to many area fires. Drought codes remain high across Alaska’s interior, making mop-up time-consuming even under rainy skies. Five fires are being staffed to… Read More ›
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Fire Facts: What is a sling load?
Alaska is a large state covering more than 663,000-square miles. Much of the state has limited access due to a lack of maintained roads and vast areas of wilderness. Helicopters are one of the primary options to assist firefighters responding… Read More ›
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Chalkyitsik Complex: Small Timber Lake Fire #687 – 34 acres
Friday was the fourth consecutive day of new fire starts within the planning area. Small Timber Lake Fire #687 started yesterday from lightening 2.5 miles northeast of Chalkyitsik in the oxbows of the Draanjik River and quickly grew to 34… Read More ›
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Grouse Creek/Garnet Creek Fire Update for July 27, 2019
The Grouse Creek fire is approximately 50,418 acres and the Garnet Creek fire is approximately 9,043 acres with a total of 87 personnel. Grouse Creek (#485) Fire growth was moderated by the weather on Friday, overcast and light rain. Fire… Read More ›
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 