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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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Firefighters Protecting Native Allotments from Canyon Fire West of Rampart
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chena Hotshots are cutting line near a Native allotment on the north side of the Yukon River, approximately 1.5 mile south of the Canyon Fire (#174). Smokejumpers are moving to another allotment and a cabin approximately 3 miles to the northeast of the fire, also on the north… Read More ›
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U.S. Wildland Fire Service Smokejumpers, Hotshots Mobilize to Protect Native Allotments from Fire 20 Miles West of Rampart
U.S. Wildland Fire Service smokejumpers are assigned to a 340‑acre fire 20 miles west of Rampart, where they will protect two Native allotments on the north side of the Yukon River with help from more firefighters on their way The… Read More ›
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U.S. Wildland Fire Service Wrapping Up Work on Several Fires as Activity Calms
Fire activity is winding down, possibly temporarily, across the state thanks to strong firefighting efforts and cooler weather. Only two fires remain staffed: the Kopshesut Fire near Ambler and the Clums Fire about 66 miles northeast of Fairbanks. Firefighters on both incidents are mopping up hotspots and plan to demobilize in the coming days.
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U.S. Wildland Fire Service Responds to New Fire South of Kobuk River Across From Ambler
7 p.m. Kugachevk Fire Update: Heavy rain moved over the Kugachevk Fire Sunday before smokejumpers and water scoopers could engage and significantly subdued the fire. It is now estimated at one‑eighth of an acre, smaller than initially reported. Firefighters aboard… Read More ›
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U.S. Wildland Fire Service Sends Strong Initial Attack for New Fire Northeast of Fairbanks
A strong U.S. Wildland Fire Service initial attack was launched on a rapidly growing, lightning‑caused wildfire located about 66 miles northeast of Fairbanks. The Clums Fire (#184) was reported around 8:30 a.m. Saturday and is estimated at 75 acres, burning primarily in tundra with pockets of black spruce.
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Six U.S. Wildland Fire Service Smokejumpers, Two Water Scoopers Halt Fire’s Spread Near Circle
Six smokejumpers, supported for a time by two water scooping airplanes, are working Friday on a small wildfire burning across the Yukon River from Circle.
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Alaska Fire Management Remains critical as U.S. Wildland Fire Service leaders visit fire personnel and partners
Alaska’s fire management remains a critical priority as leaders from the U.S. Wildland Fire Service visited the state to meet with firefighters, agency partners, and land managers. Their visit underscored the importance of coordinated wildfire response across Alaska’s vast and diverse landscapes and supported ongoing efforts to strengthen unified wildland fire operations.
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U.S. Wildland Fire Service Corral Wildfire South of Eagle
Update June 12, 2026 – The 12 smokejumpers working the Star Fire near Eagle established a control line around the 4.4‑acre fire Thursday night and are now extinguishing remaining hot spots. The fire is burning mostly in black spruce about… Read More ›
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As Conditions Improve, U.S. Wildland Fire Service Firefighters Push Toward Full Containment of Kopshesut Fire
With little change expected in the next few days aside from a likely increase in containment, the next update will be published on Monday unless there is a significant event that requires earlier communication. Firefighters are continuing to extinguish hot… Read More ›
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Containment of Kopshesut Fire Continues to Increase as Warmer Weather Moves In
Firefighters are continuing to make steady progress on the Kopshesut Fire as warmer weather settles over the area. Containment reached 50% on Tuesday. Firefighters successfully connected control line along the fire’s edges down to the Kobuk River. Work is now… Read More ›
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 