Author Archives
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.
-
Cecil Fire near Ruby 70% contained; Big Fire still 10% contained
Firefighters have achieved 70% containment on the Cecil Fire (#315), while the Big Fire (#313) continues to hold at 10% contained. For Friday, warmer and drier weather is expected as the possibility of thunderstorms increases. Storms could be slow moving with heavy rain; however, if they miss the fires, temperatures will climb back into the 70s.
-
Smokejumpers reach 30% containment on Siruk Fire northwest of Allakaket
Two dozen smokejumpers had the Siruk Fire (#340) 30% contained at the end of their shift Thursday night. The fire is estimated at 550 acres and continues to burn in tundra tussocks and scattered spruce trees.
-
Smokejumpers Catch New Fire Northwest of Allakaket
Twenty-four smokejumpers were deployed to the Siruk Fire (#340) yesterday. It was actively burning in tundra tussocks and scattered spruce trees, with the head of the fire moving to the east. Single and multi-engine scoopers dropped loads of water on… Read More ›
-
Firefighters Increase Containment of Big Fire, Cecil Fire East of Ruby
Firefighters achieved 10% containment on the Big Fire (#313) and 40% containment on the Cecil Fire (#315) on Tuesday. The fires are about 11 miles east of Ruby but are not currently threatening the community or nearby Native allotments.
-
Drying Conditions May Reveal Additional Holdover Fires
Another holdover fire was detected yesterday resulting from the prolific lightning storms last week. It is in the upper Koyukuk River Basin, approximately 20 miles northwest of Allakaket. Holdover fires are lightning‑caused ignitions that may smolder for days. Fire managers… Read More ›
-
Low fire activity on U.S. Wildland Fire Service Incidents
While fire activity continues to decrease across the state, fire managers continue to monitor for holdover fires. One small holdover fire was identified late yesterday, likely ignited by lightning several days ago. Holdover fires are lightning‑caused ignitions that smolder unnoticed… Read More ›
-
Type 3 Team Assumes Command of Big, Cecil Fires Near Ruby
A local Type 3 incident management team has assumed command of firefighting efforts for the Big Fire (#313) and the Cecil Fire (#315) near Ruby. The team’s leadership is made up of U.S. Wildland Fire Service personnel from Alaska and personnel from the State of Michigan.
-
Cooler Weather Aids Work on U.S. Wildland Fire Service Incidents
Cloudy, cool, wet, and breezy conditions are expected to continue across much of Alaska for the next few days. Thunderstorm activity is expected to be minimal, but potential for lightning remains in the Alaska Range and the Fortymile Country. The… Read More ›
-
Jade Fire Near Ambler Now 90% Contained
Firefighters declared the Jade Fire (#285) near Ambler 90% contained on Sunday. The area received rain from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which limited firefighting efforts but also greatly reduced fire activity.
-
Cool, wet weather aids crews fighting 2 fires near Ruby
Firefighters took advantage of Sunday’s cooler, wetter weather to continue establishing containment lines around a pair of wildfires near Ruby. Both the Big Fire (#313) and the Cecil Fire (#315) received heavy rain throughout the day. The fires are less than a mile apart and saw no growth Sunday.
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 