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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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More Lightning Predicted Across the State as Work Continues on U.S. Wildland Fire Service Incidents
A strong band of thunderstorms with abundant lightning again covered a broad swath of the state on Wednesday, from the southwest to northeast. A dense concentration of lightning strikes was recorded in the Brooks Range and the northern reaches of… Read More ›
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Smoky Conditions Possible Along Taylor Highway Due to Polly Fire
Drivers traveling on the Taylor Highway (Alaska Highway 5) near milepost 110 should be aware of possible smoke impacts from the Polly Fire (228) that could reduce visibility. They should also watch for and yield to firefighting traffic.
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More Firefighters Heading to Ambler for Jade Fire
Water‑scooping airplanes and 23 smokejumpers working on the Jade Fire (#285) worked into the early morning hours and successfully slowed the fire burning about 5 miles west of Ambler. It was estimated at 65 acres and was actively torching in heavy… Read More ›
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U.S. Wildland Fire Service continues work on wildfires in Central, Interior Alaska
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service presently has staff on the Canyon, Polly, Betula, and Shorty fires, and three of the six fires that make up the Elliott Complex northwest of Minto. A separate update will be provided for a new… Read More ›
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Smokejumpers, aircraft responding to new fire near Ambler
11 p.m. Update, and the last for June 23, 2026: The fire is now estimated at 30 acres as smokejumpers and aircraft continue to work on the fire. More updates will be available Wednesday. 9:50 p.m. Update, June 23, 2026:… Read More ›
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U.S. Wildland Fire Service Monitoring 320‑Acre Buffalo Fire West of Delta Junction
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service is monitoring the Buffalo Fire burning in the Donnelly Training Area west of the Delta River near Delta Junction. Approximately ¾ inch of rain overnight has moderated fire activity today, however, warm and dry conditions could allow fire behavior to increase again.
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U.S. Wildland Fire Service Continues Work on Six Wildfires in Central, Interior Alaska
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service presently has staff on the Canyon Fire, Betula Fire, Shorty Fire, and three of the six fires that make up the Elliott Complex northwest of Minto. The Chotzatdhah Fire (#262) was declared contained on Monday… Read More ›
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US Wildland Fire Service Fire Update for June 22,2026
Overview: The US Wildland Fire Service presently has staff on 5 fires, including 4 in the Tanana Zone and one in the Upper Yukon Zone. The USWFS is consolidating management of numerous fires in the vicinity of the Elliott Highway:… Read More ›
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Lightning ignites new fires near Minto
With over 4,000 lightning strikes across Alaska on Friday and again on Saturday, dozens of new fires started. Red Flag Warnings are issued again today for interior to eastern Alaska due to thunderstorms with abundant lightning. Fuels remain very dry,… Read More ›
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High lightning activity forecast for today
Over 4,000 lightning strikes were recorded across Alaska yesterday. Additional thunderstorms are forecast for today and through the weekend. Fuels are very dry, with good potential for new fires to start. Red Flag Warnings are issued through Sunday for interior… Read More ›
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 