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The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (AFS) 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, AFS 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 with a $10 million inventory. The Alaska Fire Service provides wildland fire suppression services for America’s “Last Frontier” on an interagency basis with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, USDA 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 continue successful structure protection on the Elephant Fire
Firefighters made significant progress yesterday on the Elephant Fire (#225) north of Eureka, continuing a complex defensive firing operation to eliminate the light, flashy fuels that have been driving fire spread. This controlled burnout operation is being used to protect structures on the northeastern portion of the fire. Firefighters also monitored and improved sprinkler systems around cabins to enhance defensible space. Hotshot crews constructed containment line on the active fire edge in the Minook Creek drainage. Today, crews will begin line construction along the fire’s southern edge near Eureka and continue structure protection throughout the fire area.
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Cooler, wetter weather brings much-needed reprieve to the Ninetyeight
The Ninetyeight Fire (#218) experienced a welcome shift in weather, with cooler temperatures, increased humidity, and light rainfall. These improved conditions allowed firefighters to strengthen and secure containment lines on the southern and southwestern flanks yesterday. On the east side, favorable weather helped crews focus on completing protection work for Alaska Native allotments. In the northern division, firefighters used defensive burning techniques to safeguard military infrastructure by removing surrounding fuels and reducing risk to critical assets.
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Firefighters contain Fortymile Fire; shifting winds drive growth on other nearby fires
Today in the Upper Yukon Fire Management Zone, a red flag warning is in effect until 10 p.m. for the Yukon Flats due to abundant lightning and dry fuels. No significant precipitation has accumulated on any of the other staffed fires within the zone. An inversion of smoke persisted for most of the day, limiting some aerial operations.
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Suppression efforts continue on Moldy Fire as Roundabout Complex grows under Red Flag Warning
Fire activity on the Roundabout Complex continues to be driven by the Moldy Fire. The complex is now mapped at 35,254 acres, with no growth or changes reported on the other fires. Firefighters remain focused on protecting values at risk, particularly Native allotments and structures along the Koyukuk River.
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Smokejumpers, aircraft respond to 2 new wildfires near Ambler
A detection flight Sunday night located five new lightning-caused wildfires in the Galena Zone. The zone recorded nearly 1,600 lightning strikes Sunday following days of hot, dry conditions with little to no precipitation.
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New incident management team arrives to the Ptarmigan Complex; shift in weather expected
The Alaska Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team arrived on Sunday to shadow the current outgoing team and assumed command of the fire this morning at 7:00 a.m. There are currently 138 personnel assigned to the Ptarmigan Complex. Today, a weather shift will be occurring across the Alaska interior as the lingering high-pressure ridge begins to collapse.
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Firefighters make progress on the Ninetyeight Fire despite gusty winds
Firefighters yesterday contended with gusty winds on the Ninetyeight Fire (#218), which has now grown to 15,321 acres after merging with the Brigadier Fire (#203). Later in the day, increased humidity, cooler temperatures, and cloud cover helped crews secure line. Crews focused on water bucket drops between Mile 33 and Mile 35 of the Salcha River to support line construction, while work continued on a strong fire break on the eastern edge to protect Native American allotments. In the black tundra reburn area, firefighters found no remaining heat. To the north, crews worked to widen fire lines to protect military infrastructure and hold the fire south of Brigadier Road.
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Rains help to moderate Elephant Fire activity
The Elephant Fire (#225) is located approximately 3 miles north of Eureka and is 5,598 acres. Fire behavior was moderate yesterday with heavy rains on the southern portion of the fire Sunday evening. There is a continued forecast for wetting rains through the day today. A weather pattern change will start tonight, bringing unseasonably cool temperatures higher humidity levels that will help firefighting efforts. Yesterday, one additional crew of firefighters and 3 smokejumpers arrived to assist with the fire.
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Upper Yukon fires expect a change in weather conditions in the coming days
There are currently four staffed fires burning in the Upper Yukon Fire Management Zone, the Tsukon (#382), Fortymile Fire (#355), Runt Fire (#330), the Obrien (#172), and the Ptarmigan Complex. A total of 214 active wildfires are burning across the State of Alaska as of July 6.
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Duck Fire controlled; Shiliak Fire 40% contained in Galena Zone
The Duck Fire 26 miles east of Teller is fully contained and controlled, while the Shiliak Fire northeast of Kotzebue is 40% contained.
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 