Active Wildland Fire

Rain slows fire behavior as crews push ahead with structure protection on the Himalaya Road, Aggie Creek, and Obrien Fires

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Rain fell over all three fires yesterday. Structure protection is complete in areas immediately threatened by the Himalaya Road Fire (#223), Aggie Creek Fire (#268) and Obrien Fire (#172). Crews are nearing completion of indirect lines south of Aggie Creek Fire and the Mount Taylor Hotshot crew is assessing the feasibility of direct line construction along the fire’s southern perimeterwhile fire behavior is minimal. Structure assessments were completed yesterday along the Elliott Highway west of Obrien Fire, and a structure protection plan will be developed today.

A single-engine scooper plane drops water on the fire.

Protection efforts on Goldrun Complex aided by rain

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Wetter weather has arrived in the Kobuk Valley where the nine fires of the Goldrun Complex lay between Ambler and Kiana, an area that had not received significant precipitation since late June. This change in weather reduced fire activity and aided firefighters in their efforts to protect Alaska Native allotments, structures, and other values at risk.

An aerial view of a landscape effected by fire. A braided river, Birch Creek, flows through the center of the image, to the right of the burnt area. A small plume of smoke rises from an area on the fire side of the creek, close to the water. On the far side of Birch Creek, the timber is unburnt and green. Clouds cover the sky.

Crews transition on Ptarmigan Complex, thunderstorms bring wind and light precipitation

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The weather area forecast for the Ptarmigan Complex continues to call for scattered moisture, cooler temperatures, and potential thunderstorms over the next few days. Fire activity across the complex yesterday was minimal with the increased activity occurring on the Buckley Bar Fire and the southern end of the Turtle Fire after a series of thunderstorms brought strong winds to the complex in the early evening. 

Image shows firefighters unloading their gear off of three boats that were used to shuttle equipment and boats from Rampart across the Yukon River to the Lush Fire (#199).

Weather conditions aid firefighters on the Lush and Elephant Fires

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The Elephant Fire (#225) located approximately 5 miles north of the Eureka Highway, showed minimal fire activity again yesterday. There was creeping and smoldering observed within the fire perimeter. The total fire acreage remains at 8,941 acres. Yesterday, the fire received a couple hours of precipitation.  Scattered storms are anticipated today along with gusty southwesterly winds.

Graphic for BLM AFS Wildfire Updates

Recent moisture helps increase completion to 48% on Ninetyeight Fire

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Recent moisture over the fire area has kept fire activity at a low and firefighters have increased completion to 48%. Crews reported a trace of rain over the fire yesterday afternoon. Fire behavior for the Ninetyeight Fire (#218) was listed as creeping and smoldering. A recent Infrared (IR) flight showed limited heat throughout the fire area; the hottest spots were observed on the west and southwest sides.