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The U.S. Wildland Fire Service in Alaska (USWFS) is located at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, provides wildland fire suppression services for over 244 million acres of Department of the Interior and Native Corporation Lands in Alaska. In addition, USWFS has other statewide responsibilities that include: interpretation of fire management policy; oversight of the BLM Alaska Aviation program; fuels management projects; and operating and maintaining advanced communication and computer systems such as the Alaska Lightning Detection System. AFS also maintains a National Incident Support Cache. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service in Alaska provides wildland fire suppression services for America’s “Last Frontier” on an interagency basis with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Military in Alaska.
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From deep snow and bitter cold to dry grass: Alaska’s shift into wildfire season needs your help
Winter’s grip might have felt endless this year, but the wildfire season is at our doorstep. This week (May 3-9) is Alaska Wildland Fire Prevention and Preparedness Week, a timely reminder to explore the resources available to help communities prepare for and better understand wildland fire.
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BLM fire restrictions north of Fairbanks help protect neighborhoods and facilities
In an effort to ensure the safety of local residents and protect properties, the BLM is implementing a fire prevention order for federal lands in a fire-sensitive area near Fox, Alaska, and the NOAA facility site on the Steese Highway May 1-Oct. 31.
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Burning Operations Planned on Military Training Lands in Interior Alaska
Smoke may be visible from prescribed burning near Delta Junction, Fairbanks and North Pole FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Starting as early as Sunday, May 3, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS), in coordination with the U.S. Army Garrison Alaska, will implement… Read More ›
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U.S. Wildland Fire Service Alaska Smokejumper training jumps start March 23
As BLM AFS prepares for the inevitable approach of fire season, these elite firefighters are gearing up with their parachute training jumps.
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Recruitment for BLM AFS North Star Fire Crew is open for 2026 season
Recruitment for the 2026 BLM Alaska Fire Service Type 2 North Star Fire Crew is open until April 1. This entry-level crew provides a pathway to a career in wildland firefighting.
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BLM Alaska Fire Service seeks wildland firefighting crew and suppression module contract proposals
Deadline is Nov. 10 for potential contractors to submit proposals to provide wildland fire crews and fire suppression modules based in northern Alaska.
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Recruitment for 2026 rookie Alaska Smokejumper candidates is NOW OPEN!
The BLM Alaska Fire Service is looking for hard working, physically fit, intelligent and experienced wildland firefighters interested in becoming Alaska Smokejumpers. Job announcements open Sept. 29-Oct. 27, 2025 on USAJobs.gov for the 2026 fire season.
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Cookies, kin, community, and coordination: BLM AFS Galena Fire Station wraps up a season to remember
As the fire season comes to a close in Alaska, the BLM Alaska Fire Service has shut down its remote station in Galena. After a busy season supporting 71 wildfires in the Galena Zone – BLM AFS’s farthest west protection zone – almost all personnel have either returned to AFS headquarters in Fairbanks, are working on fires in the Lower 48, or have finished for the season.
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What triggered the wildfire surge across Interior Alaska around solstice?
More than 170 wildfires ignited across Interior Alaska between June 15 and 29 during the 2025 Alaska fire season, most sparked by lightning. Fueled by hot, dry weather and almost 83,000 lightning strikes near the summer solstice, several fires quickly threatened homes, disrupted highways, and triggered evacuations across vast distances.
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BLM AFS responds to increased fire activity
In response to a recent uptick in fire activity during a warm and dry weekend, BLM Alaska Fire Service smokejumpers mobilized to three active fires over the past two days, including two new lightning-caused starts. They are focused on protecting Alaska Native allotments and remote cabins at risk from increased fire behavior.
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 