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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 Strengthen Lines as Bean Fire Slows After Aerial Support
The nine-person Woodhawk Wildland Fire Module from Montana is demobilizing from the Big Fire near Ruby today and will support the eight smokejumpers already working the Bean Fire, which is currently estimated at 10% containment.
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Smokejumpers, Aircraft Respond to New Fire 20 Miles West of Manley Hot Springs
The Bean Fire (#362) was initially estimated at 80 acres and was burning at a moderate rate of spread, with fire running and torching through brush and tussocks. Smokejumpers on scene reported that water‑scooping aircraft were very effective in stopping most of the fire’s forward movement.
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Smokejumpers Continue Work on Cone Fire Burning Within the Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge
The fire is estimated at 25 acres. Smokejumpers were able to encircle the fire and reached 50% containment Saturday night. Today, they will continue targeting and extinguishing hot spots. They report that fuels in the area are dry, however, the fire is not burning deep, making remaining heat easier to extinguish.
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Containment of Siruk Fire increases to 60%
Firefighters took advantage of overcast skies, brief light rain, and minimal fire activity on Saturday to increase containment on the Siruk Fire (#340), burning 23 miles northwest of Allakaket, to 60%. The fire is estimated at 619 acres.
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chena Hotshots arrived Saturday and reinforced control line on the eastern flank, while smokejumpers worked to secure line on the western side.
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New wildfire in Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge 50% contained
Eight smokejumpers are working to contain a new wildfire in the Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge. The Cone Fire (#353) was detected Saturday using satellite imagery. The fire is 21.5 acres and 50% contained tonight.
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Smokejumpers, aircraft fully contain new wildfire near Livengood
Eight smokejumpers, three single-engine water-scooping planes, and an air attack plane responded Saturday to the Ready Bullion Fire (#356) near the airport in Livengood and contained it.
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Update on fires near Golovin, Shaktoolik
Firefighters have declared the Cheenik Fire near Golovin out and could do the same with the Christmas Fire near Shaktoolik by the end of their shift on Saturday.
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Siruk Fire northwest of Allakaket 50% contained
Smokejumpers have a control line reinforced with a hose lay along the east flank of the Siruk Fire. They have identified hotspots along the southern and northwestern edges of the fire and used water drops from helicopters on Friday while identifying opportunities to put in control lines in those areas.
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Smokejumpers, Water-Scooping Planes Respond to Christmas Fire Near Shaktoolik
Ten smokejumpers supported by water-scooping aircraft responded Friday night to a new wildfire near Shaktoolik. The Christmas Fire (#350) is about 8 miles east of Shaktoolik, 1.5 miles north of the Shaktoolik River, and 1 mile west of Third Creek.
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Cheenik Fire near Golovin contained
The Cheenik Fire (#349) near Golovin has been contained to 1 acre thanks to the quick work of local residents. Smokejumpers assigned to the fire carefully checked the perimeter and found no heat. They will conduct one more check tonight and another tomorrow morning as a precaution before calling the fire out.
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 