While many Alaskans enjoyed a relaxing Memorial Day weekend, 53 wildland firefighters-in-training were getting hands-on field experience at the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry’s Fire Field Day. The Fairbanks Area Forestry staff organized and hosted the event,… Read More ›
Active Wildland Fire
Contact Creek Fire (#151) near King Salmon is 20 miles from nearest allotment
The Contact Creek Fire (#151) burning 40 miles southeast of King Salmon is being monitored by National Park Service and DOF personnel as it burns in a limited area in Katmai National Park & Preserve. The suspected cause is lightning…. Read More ›
Lawlor Fire northwest of Fairbanks contained
FINAL UPDATE: 8:30 pm — An outside electrical accident, sending sparks into dry grass, has been determined to be the cause. Driven by gusty winds the fire rapidly spread into a stand of black spruce. Groups of trees were observed… Read More ›
Zircon Fire (#131) in Anchorage 100% contained at 1am with fire crews working throughout the night
Zircon Fire Incident Commander Bryan Quimby reported at 1am this morning that the 0.8 acre fire that started as a structure fire in Anchorage and spread into the surrounding brush and woods was 100% contained. At 3:30am this morning after… Read More ›
All Elks Road Fire (#116) near Sutton limited to 5 acres with Gannett Glacier mopping up today
Update 3:30pm: The All Elks Road fire has been called contained and Gannett Glacier Fire Crew is breaking down and backhauling hose lays and other gear. The All Elks Road Fire (#116) near Sutton was limited to approximately five acres… Read More ›
Caswell Lakes Fire (#110) showcases coordination between local firefighters and initial attack aerial resources
Yesterday afternoon local departments spearheaded the coordination between the Mat-Su Helitack crew and helicopter, DOF engine crews, Gannett Glacier Fire Crew and locals to limit fire spread along a private airstrip under construction in Caswell. The approximately 3 acre Caswell… Read More ›
Firefighters catch rapidly spreading fire along Chena River in Fairbanks
A smoldering fire was discovered in a wooded area along the Chena River in Fairbanks late Thursday afternoon. The Chena Landing Loop Fire (#104) rapidly spread, fanned by gusty winds, along the north side of the river across from Pioneer… Read More ›
Olia Court Fire: State and local firefighters respond to 15-acre fire 20 miles northeast of Homer
Homer’s “Olia Court Fire” First Update: A 15 acre fire burning in grass and brush on the upper third of a steep stope near Homer is no longer growing tonight. There are two DOF engine crews working with locals and… Read More ›
Smokejumpers contain Walrus Islands Fire (#096) and Gannett Glacier Crew contains North Fork Talkeetna Fire (#095)
Yesterday afternoon as persistent sunshine continues to dry out Alaska, several new fire starts required initial attack. Jump ship 90 deployed six smokejumpers to the Walrus Islands Fire (#096). This is a group of islands located in the Bering Sea… Read More ›
Escaped cardboard burn in Willow highlights tinder dry conditions even with snow nearby
A small attended burn of cardboard by a homeowner in the Willow area escaped into the surrounding dry grasses just before noon today destroying items of value on the homeowner’s property. The “Bill’s Place Fire” (#091) has been fully suppressed… Read More ›