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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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Pioneer Peak Hotshots, Gannett Glacier Crew Join Fight Against 2 Fires Near Ruby
The effort to fully suppress the Big Fire (#313) and the Cecil Fire (#315) was reinforced Saturday with the arrival of additional firefighting crews. The lightning-caused fires are separated by less than a mile and are about 11 miles east of Ruby.
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Lower Fire Activity Anticipated With Cooler Weather
Cool, wet, and breezy conditions are expected across much of Alaska for the next few days. Ran is reducing fire concerns in much of the state. However, Southcentral Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula remain drier and could have higher resistance… Read More ›
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Containment for Jade Fire Increases to 70%
The Jade Fire is 70% contained, thanks to days of hard work by the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Midnight Sun Hotshots and the Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments Type 2 Crew.
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Jade Fire 40% Contained; Whakatna Fire Placed in Monitor Status
The USWFS Midnight Sun Hotshots and the Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments Type 2 Crew achieved 40% containment on the Jade Fire (#285) near Ambler on Friday. Meanwhile, the Whakatna Fire (#306) near Galena was declared controlled.
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Strong Low-Pressure System Expected to Bring Rain to Cool Fires Managed by U.S. Wildland Fire Service
Lightning activity is expected to diminish throughout Alaska this weekend. Thunderstorms with lightning are still forecast for today, particularly in the northeast portion of the state. Later in the day, a low-pressure system will bring cooler temperatures, rain, and wind… Read More ›
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Firefighters Working to Suppress 2 Fires Near Ruby
Nearly two dozen smokejumpers supported by multiple water-scooping aircraft are working to fully suppress two fires that were detected Friday afternoon near Ruby. The Big Fire (#313), which was previously named the Little Fire, and the Cecil Fire (#315) are separated by less than a mile.
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Firefighting Aircraft Responding to 2 New Starts Near Ruby
Multi-engine scoopers are responding to a pair of new fires near Ruby. The Little Fire (#313) and Cecil Fire (#315) are separated by less than a mile. They are about 11 miles east of Ruby and 5 miles south of Ninemile Slough near Big Creek in a Full protection area.
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Firefighters Respond to New Start Near Galena; CATG Crew Assigned to Jade Fire
Twelve smokejumpers supported by four single-engine water scoopers responded to Whakatna Fire (#306) about 12 miles northeast of Galena on Thursday night. The fire was reported about 9:30 p.m.
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Air Resources Assist with Several New Lightning Fires Managed by U.S. Wildland Fire Service
With prolific lightning across the state for over a week, including over 9,000 strikes yesterday, new fires continue to ignite across the U.S. Wildland Fire Service management areas in Western, Eastern, Northern, and Interior Alaska. Air resources have provided crucial… Read More ›
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High Fire Danger and Lightning Prompt Vigilance in Western Alaska as Jade Fire Operations Continue
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Midnight Sun Hotshots helped nearly two dozen smokejumpers complete a hose lay around the Jade Fire (#285) on Wednesday. This part of Alaska is among the hottest and driest in the state, with red flag warnings in effect for the Upper Kobuk and Lower Koyukuk Valleys today. This means conditions could lead to the development of large and dangerous fires.
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 