The Lush Fire (#199), remains at 26,544 acres and is located on the north side of the Yukon River across from Rampart. Yesterday’s partly sunny skies and no precipitation meant there was a drying day for fuels on the fire. Lingering areas of heat began to smolder and creep and small, light gray columns of smoke were observed. A warming and drying trend will occur into the weekend and atmospheric instability will increase the chance of showers and thunderstorms. After the weekend, southwest flow will be in the forecast bringing widespread light rain.
Active Wildland Fire
Additional help arrives on the Ninetyeight Fire
The Tatanka Hotshot crew arrived yesterday and will join forces with the USFS R10 crew. They will continue mop-up and hazard tree removal along the south and southwest perimeter of the Ninetyeight Fire (#218). The sprinkler system along the south and southwest perimeter of the fire was extended to cover the areas that were worked yesterday. Completion has been increased to 54% despite fire weather in the area slowly drying out since receiving the last trace of rain.
Crews target heat on fire perimeters amid warming, drying conditions on the Himalaya Road, Aggie Creek, and Obrien Fires
With warmer temperatures and lower humidity, increased fire behavior is expected, with evidence of creeping and smoldering within the Himalaya Road Fire (#223), Aggie Creek Fire (#268) and Obrien Fire (#172).
Water resources help crews continue to grow containment of fireline on the Nenana Ridge Complex
Bonanza Creek Fire (#238): 12,576 acres, 13% containment Goldstream Creek Fire (#270): 20,530 acres, 14% containment Personnel: 419 Evacuation Information: Evacuation levels were downgraded Wednesday, July 16th by the Fairbanks North Star Borough and the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management along… Read More ›
Drone helps firefighters assigned to Goldrun Complex
An unmanned aircraft system (UAS), commonly known as a drone, set a record Wednesday when it was flown over the Onion Fire (#433). The flight was the furthest north a UAS has been used for wildfire management by a federal land management agency, according to members of the Rocky Mountain Regional UAS Module.
Tlozhavun Fire 50% contained South of Fort Yukon; Polly Fire structure protection complete
The Tlozhavun Fire (#448) is 50% contained at 21 acres with mop up operations ongoing, while the Polly Fire (#435), last mapped at 650 acres, has reduced fire activity and completed structure protection. Tlozhavun Fire (#448) – Located approximately 10 miles south of Fort… Read More ›
Higher temperatures lead to a uptick in fire activity on the 7 Mile Lookout Fire
Size: 3,924 acres Location: 7 miles southwest of Tok, AK Start Date: June 19, 2025 Cause: Lightning Containment: 55% Total Personnel: 131 Evacuation levels for neighborhoods near the 7 Mile Lookout Fire (#222): Residents north of Butch Kuth Ave and… Read More ›
Drone module aids in mop up operations and crews get reassigned as fire activity declines
There was very minimal fire activity yesterday across the Ptarmigan Complex due to the cloud cover and lower temperatures. Fire continues to creep, back, and smolder in places on the Birch, Turtle, and Buckley Bar Fires.
Weather conditions cooperate with firefighting efforts on the Roundabout Complex
The Moldy Fire (#279) remains the only active fire within the Roundabout Complex, now totaling 73,085 acres. Rain fell overnight and continues this morning. Firefighters have continued success with point protection measures, such as with Huslia’s microwave communications tower. No changes to evacuation levels and no firefighter injuries or accidents were reported.
Evacuation status lifted for Elephant Fire (#225)
The Level 1 “Ready” evacuation status due to the Elephant Fire (#225) for Eureka and residences along the Eureka-Rampart Trail has been removed. The affected area includes the Eureka Road beginning at Milepost 130 of the Elliott Highway, extending north to the Eureka-Rampart Trail. It also includes the community of Eureka and stretches north past a cluster of structures near Granite Creek. Fire managers believe the current conditions of the fire no longer warrant the evacuation status.