Author Archives
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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Smokejumpers, aircraft corral pair of fires near Ambler in northwestern Alaska
Update for 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 19, 2024: Smokejumpers anticipate having both the Rabbit and Garland fires contained, controlled and extinguished today. At the end of shift Tuesday, the Rabbit Creek (#181) was considered about 75% contained and standing at… Read More ›
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Gusty erratic winds increase fire behavior on McDonald Fire
Size: 35,618 acres Personnel: 73 Start Date: June 8, 2024 Cause: Lightning Update 1:15 p.m. – The Fairbanks North Star Borough expanded the READY notice Tuesday to residences along the Johnson Road and near the Salcha Campgrounds. Find more information… Read More ›
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BLM AFS monitoring several large tundra fires in Western Alaska
The BLM Alaska Fire Service is monitoring several fires in Western Alaska, including two on the Noatak River and one on the Seward Peninsula. Galena Zone personnel will conduct routine flyovers of these large tundra fires. The Tututalak Fire (#135),… Read More ›
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McDonald Fire resources shift to meet challenges from the increased fire behavior
Size: 30,590.9 acres Personnel: 57 Start Date: June 8, 2024 Cause: Lightning Updated information at 4:40 p.m., June 17, 2024: Two Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection engines are patrolling the Richardson Highway across the Tanana River from the… Read More ›
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Warmer, dryer weather predicted as work continues on the McDonald Fire
Size: 30,022 acres Personnel: 57 Start Date: June 8, 2024 Cause: Lightning FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Sunny skies have contributed to warming and drying across the McDonald Fire. On Saturday afternoon, a fly over of the McDonald Fire showed mostly smoldering… Read More ›
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Forecasted warm weather will likely increase fire behavior, smoke on the McDonald Fire
Size: 32,725.9 acres Personnel: 54 Start Date: June 8, 2024 Cause: Lightning FAIRBANKS, Alaska – After days of rain, warmer, drier weather will return to the McDonald Fire area this weekend, possibly increasing fire activity and smoke. The Blair Lakes… Read More ›
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Steady progress continues to protect cabins near the McDonald Fire
Size: 32,725.9 acres Personnel: 49 Start Date: June 8, 2024 Cause: Lightning FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The McDonald Fire experienced thunderstorms with lightning and an estimated .15 inch of rain Thursday night. A flight over the fire Thursday afternoon showed minimal… Read More ›
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Red Flag Warning issued in northeast Alaska for dry lightning
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for northeastern Alaska today, June 14, due to hot, dry conditions and dry lightning. The warning is in effect from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. Friday and covers the Yukon… Read More ›
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Cabin protection progresses as weather moderates near the McDonald Fire
Size: 32,725 acres (no change) Personnel: 49 Start Date: June 8 Cause: Lightning FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The forecasted weather should continue to keep the McDonald Fire (#119) tempered from what was experienced during the initial days of the fire. This… Read More ›
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Wetting rains welcomed as progress made protecting cabins near the McDonald Fire
Size: 32,725 acres Personnel: 49 Start Date: June 8, 2024 Cause: Lightning FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The McDonald Fire received wetting rains early Wednesday morning. Similar conditions are expected throughout the day with scattered to numerous showers accompanying isolated thunderstorms in… Read More ›