Size: 32,725.9 acres Personnel: 49 Start Date: June 8, 2024 Cause: Lightning FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The McDonald Fire experienced thunderstorms with lightning and an estimated .15 inch of rain Thursday night. A flight over the fire Thursday afternoon showed minimal… Read More ›
AK Fire Info
Red Flag Warning issued in northeast Alaska for dry lightning
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for northeastern Alaska today, June 14, due to hot, dry conditions and dry lightning. The warning is in effect from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. Friday and covers the Yukon… Read More ›
Cabin protection progresses as weather moderates near the McDonald Fire
Size: 32,725 acres (no change) Personnel: 49 Start Date: June 8 Cause: Lightning FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The forecasted weather should continue to keep the McDonald Fire (#119) tempered from what was experienced during the initial days of the fire. This… Read More ›
Wetting rains welcomed as progress made protecting cabins near the McDonald Fire
Size: 32,725 acres Personnel: 49 Start Date: June 8, 2024 Cause: Lightning FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The McDonald Fire received wetting rains early Wednesday morning. Similar conditions are expected throughout the day with scattered to numerous showers accompanying isolated thunderstorms in… Read More ›
Burn Permit Suspensions Lifted for Tok, Delta, Fairbanks, Railbelt and Salcha Areas
With the return of cooler weather and wetting rains throughout Interior Alaska over the past 24 hours and with more in the forecast, the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection has lifted burn suspensions throughout Alaska and will continue… Read More ›
BLM AFS Smokejumpers mobilized Tuesday to fire near Kiana
BLM Alaska Fire Service smokejumpers responded to a wildfire Tuesday that that appeared to ignite on a Native allotment on the Kobuk River east of Kiana in northwestern Alaska. The Deviation Fire (#126) rapidly consumed a mixture of tundra and… Read More ›
Weather moderates McDonald Fire growth
Rain fell on much of the McDonald Fire area Monday night, with more predicted, giving firefighters time to prepare cabin sites along 5 Mile Creek in case hot, windy, and dry conditions return. Firefighters started clearing brush from around structures and getting sprinkler systems set in place in case the estimated 28,800-acre fire makes another push south toward the cabins south of the fire.
Water scoopers, more firefighters mobilizing to protect cabins from McDonald Fire southeast of Fairbanks
BLM Alaska Fire Service Smokejumpers and water scoopers mobilized Monday afternoon to protect a group of cabins threatened as the McDonald Fire continues to grow despite moderated conditions. The fire is estimated at about 24,000 acres.
Hot, dry conditions push McDonald Fire to an estimated 8,000 acres
The McDonald Fire (#119) burning 31 miles south of Fairbanks was active Sunday, growing to an estimated 8,000 acres thanks to hot, dry and windy conditions. While the winds diminished since Saturday, the warmer temperatures helped push the fire out from both flanks as it burned through stringers of black spruce.
Thick smoke plume seen from fire burning in a remote corner of military training range south of Fairbanks
he smoke from the McDonald Fire (#119) will likely be very visible for the upcoming days due to the continued dry, hot conditions.
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 