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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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Smoke continues to hamper efforts on Globe Fire
The section of the Elliott Highway near the Globe Fire reopened late Thursday night. Expect significant delays between mileposts 25-50 if fire activity increases as it did Thursday afternoon. Please exercise caution and patience, turn on your headlights to help ensure the safety of firefighters and flaggers working in the area.
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BLM Alaska Fire Service Update
As of 4.p.m. on Friday, there were 144 active wildfires statewide, with 18 new starts in the past 24 hours. So far, 278 fires have burned 270,478 acres across Alaska. Brief updates are provided for the staffed fires in northwestern… Read More ›
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McDonald Fire slows as it reaches old burn areas
FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Fire behavior on the McDonald Fire moderated somewhat on Thursday. Isolated, light sprinkles on the north area of the fire resulted in localized cooler temperatures, assisting suppression efforts. As the fire burns into fire scars (previously burned… Read More ›
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Globe Fire growth triggers road closures and extended evacuations along Elliott Highway
10 p.m. June 27, update: Erratic winds and hot, dry weather caused the Globe Fire to grow rapidly Thursday as firefighters concentrate on protecting people and property along the Elliott Highway about 50 miles north of Fairbanks. The flames, driven… Read More ›
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BLM Alaska Fire Service Fire Update
A red flag warning is in effect today, June 27, from 10 a.m. through 10 p.m. High lightning activity is forecast over dry fuels, with high potential for new fires to start. Hot, dry, windy conditions are expected to cause… Read More ›
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Clear Fire and McDonald Fire merge as fire activity increases
Size: 107,391 acres Personnel: 83 Start Date: June 8, 2024 Cause: Lightning FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Fire behavior continues to be active on the McDonald Fire. Both the Clear Fire and McDonald Fire saw growth yesterday, and as of today’s shift the fires have merged. Pioneer… Read More ›
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Residents between mile 41-43 Elliott Highway told to evacuate ahead of Globe Fire
Residents along the Elliott Highway were asked to evacuate on Wednesday as the Globe Fire (#253) rapidly approached between mileposts 41 and 43. The fire, burning through black spruce, was reported to be about a mile from the nearest structure…. Read More ›
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Crews ordered for fires burning near Central and Circle
Crews were ordered to join smokejumpers who are hard at work on the Deception Pup Fire (#252) burning near Central and the Flasco Fire (#259) south of Circle. Three highly trained and cohesive hotshot crews arrived in Fairbanks from California… Read More ›
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Red flag conditions forecast Thursday
Conditions are favorable for fire growth, with hot weather and dry fuels. A red flag warning is in effect from 10 a.m. through 10 p.m on Thursday. Frequent lightning is forecast over dry fuels. Hot, dry, windy conditions will increase… Read More ›
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McDonald Fire sees another day of active fire behavior
Size: 62,507 acres Personnel: 72 Start Date: June 8, 2024 Cause: Lightning FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Fire behavior was active again Tuesday, ranging from group torching to backing and flanking around the entire perimeter. Group torching is defined as the burning of a small group of… Read More ›