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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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Work Concludes on the Three Remaining Staffed Fires in Alaska
Recent rainfall across northern Alaska has moderated fire activity, allowing firefighters to complete objectives on the remaining three staffed fires in Alaska. With the transition of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service-managed Nutmeg, Notakok and Konedsin Minnkohwin fires to monitor status, there will be no staffed wildland fire incidents in Alaska after Wednesday.
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Firefighters Increase Containment on Konedsin Minnkohwin Fire
The Konedsin Minnkohwin Fire (#404) remains at 160 acres and is now 35% contained. Firefighters continue strengthening containment lines on both flanks of the fire while mopping up pockets of heat remaining in deep peat soils. The fire remains within its established footprint, burning in caribou lichen, tundra, mixed spruce, hardwood and peat along lake berms. Cool, wet weather continues to moderate fire… Read More ›
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Nutmeg Fire Near Wiseman Experiences Rain
Fire behavior on the Nutmeg Fire (#397) near Wiseman remains minimal as persistent drizzle and cool temperatures continue to moderate fire activity. The fire is estimated at 127 acres based on the most recent mapping. The fire burned west of Nolan Creek before the rains began early this morning.
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Nutmeg Fire Near Wiseman Moderates
Despite gusty overnight winds, fire behavior moderated on the Nutmeg Fire burning 5.5 miles northwest of Wiseman, south of Wiseman Creek and Nolan Road. Smokejumpers monitored the fire overnight due to 20 mph winds in the area. Terrain-driven easterly winds continue to push smoke away from… Read More ›
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Firefighters Reach 20% Containment on Konedsin Minnkohwin Fire
The Konedsin Minnkohwin Fire (#404), located approximately 40 miles west of the Dalton Highway and 21 miles east of the community of Allakaket is estimated at 160 acres following updated mapping refined the fire’s size. Firefighters achieved 20% containment Saturday after the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chena Interagency Hotshots completed hose lay on the fire’s western flank. Today, crews will continue extending hose to… Read More ›
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Aircraft, Smokejumpers Respond to New Fire Within Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge
Smokejumpers and aircraft responded to a new lightning-caused fire within Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge Friday burning approximately 40 miles west the Dalton Highway and 21 miles east of the community of Allakaket. The Konedsin Minnkohwin Fire (#404) is estimated at 200 acres and is burning in peat along lake berms within caribou lichen, tundra and pockets of spruce and hardwoods. The fire remains uncontained.
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U.S. Wildland Fire Service Send Firefighters to Help Closely Monitor Wildfire Northwest of Wiseman
The lightning‑caused Nutmeg Fire (#397) was discovered on Thursday and is burning in an area designated as a Limited Management Option. Fires in these areas are typically monitored and allowed to play their natural ecological role unless they threaten values, communities, or other sites identified for protection.
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U.S. Wildland Fire Service Closely Monitoring Wildfire Northwest of Wiseman
Fire managers are keeping a close eye on a wildfire burning 5.5 miles northwest of Wiseman near Wiseman Creek and Nolan Road. The lightning‑caused Nutmeg Fire was discovered on Thursday and is burning in an area designated as a Limited Management Option. Fires in these areas are monitored and allowed to perform their natural ecological role.
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Focus Turns to Potential New Fires As Work Wraps Up on U.S. Wildland Fire Service Incidents in Northern Alaska
Work is steadily winding down on the seven staffed fires within the U.S. Wildland Fire Service protection area in northern Alaska as fire managers turn their focus on the potential for new fires in the upcomign days. Here’s a rundown of these staffed fires.
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As Fire Activity Rises in Western Alaska, USWFS Keep Pace with Fast, Effective Initial Attack
Fire activity across Alaska has picked up this week, and response from the U.S. Wildland Fire Service has been both aggressive and effective. Several new wildfires ignited in Western Alaska since Sunday, some of which prompted immediate action from smokejumpers… Read More ›
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 