Author Archives

• Chalkyitsik Fuels Build-up Index hits record high

  By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 18, 2019

  

  Rainfall across Alaska continues to avoid the Upper Yukon zone, with conditions at extreme levels predicted to drive fire activity across the Yukon flats.The Buildup Index (BUI) is the best indicator of seasonal severity and overall flammability in the boreal… Read More ›

• Fewer fires staffed in Tanana Zone

  By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 18, 2019

  Firefighters were demobilized from two fires in the Tanana Zone on Wednesday as fire activity diminished slightly. Regionally, however, thunderstorms continued through the night in the Alaska Range, the eastern Yukon Flats, and part of the Brooks Range. Isolated thunderstorms… Read More ›

• Firefighters enhance fuel break along Elliott Highway – Hess Creek Fire Update 7/18/19

  By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 18, 2019

  Aerial footage of the two hot spots across the Elliott Highway A type 3 team from Wyoming will begin arriving in Fairbanks over the next few days to replace the Southern Idaho team, which finishes their 14-day assignment on Saturday…. Read More ›

• Southwest Area Staffing Five Fires, One New

  By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 17, 2019

  The Alaska Division of Forestry is staffing five fires in the Southwest Area, defending two gold mines, the village of Red Devil, cabins along the Kuskokwim River, and cabins north of Nikolai. 400,958 acres have burned in Southwest Alaska in… Read More ›

• Smoke Outlook for 7/16 – 7/17: Increased temperatures will increase smoke conditions

  By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 17, 2019

  Temperatures are forecasted to increase once again in the southern portion of the state including the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, and the Mat-Su valley. An increase in heat translates into lower relative humidity and more fire activity, which of course produces… Read More ›

• Upper Yukon Zone fuel indices remain at near record levels

  By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 17, 2019

  The Upper Yukon Flats remains the hottest and driest area of the state. Temperatures in the Upper Yukon zone will remain consistent in the 65 degree to 85 degree range with relative humidities between 35 percent and 45 percent. About… Read More ›

• Troops on the move in Tanana Zone

  By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 17, 2019

  

  As new fires continue to break during the Tanana Zone’s very active fire season, smokejumpers and crews are being pulled from earlier fires and reassigned to the new blazes. On Tuesday a load of eight jumpers working on the South… Read More ›

• Saw line completed along Cleary Creek drainage – Hess Creek Fire update 7/17/19

  By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 17, 2019

  

  Crews made excellent progress placing saw line from the Elliott Highway north to the Cleary Creek drainage to tie into an already burned area of the #HessCreekFire. This line will provide a solid anchor point to begin firing operations should… Read More ›

• Smoke Outlook for 7/16- 7/17: When will the smoke clear?

  By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 16, 2019

  

  Locals and tourists ask: “When will the smoke clear?” and “Where can we go to get away from the smoke?” As we receive moisture and temperatures change, fire behavior will slow and smoke will decrease. Alaska is a big state… Read More ›

• Southwest Area Fires Surpass 400,000 Acres

  By Alaska Fire PIOs on July 16, 2019

  Alaska’s Division of Forestry is staffing five fires in the Southwest Area, defending two gold mines and multiple structures at the sites, the village of Red Devil, the historic town of Flat, and several cabins along the Kuskokwim River. 400,813… Read More ›