Signs of Smoke No Cause for Alarm to Tanacross, Tok or motorists FAIRBANKS – The Bureau of Land Management personnel will burn woody debris piles on land it manages near Tanacross Oct. 26-31 to reduce the risk of wildfire, protect private property… Read More ›
BLM Alaska Fire Service
The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (AFS) 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, AFS 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 with a $10 million inventory. The Alaska Fire Service provides wildland fire suppression services for America’s “Last Frontier” on an interagency basis with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Military in Alaska.
History of helping: BLM AFS hotshot crews support fire suppression in the Lower 48
Alaska-based BLM hotshot crews, Chena and Midnight Sun, have traveled to support the fire suppression effort in the Lower 48 intermittently since 1987.
First line of fireline EMTs
Having qualified and capable medical first responders among initial attack firefighters directly on the fireline is crucial to treating trauma in the field, especially in Alaska. Organized by BLM AFS, this three-week Basic EMT class is routinely offered to AFS and State of Alaska wildland firefighters who may be the only ones working on a remote fire.
Ahead of the fire
BLM AFS makes Interior villages more resilient to wildfires This year’s unusually slow fire season enabled the BLM Alaska Fire Service to start working on protecting the Interior Alaska community of Alatna from future wildfires. The BLM AFS Chena Hotshot… Read More ›
North Star Fire Crew to burn woody debris piles near Eielson AFB
Starting as early as Monday, the BLM Alaska Fire Service North Star Fire Crew will burn piles of woody debris created to reduce the risk of wildfire on military training lands near Eielson Air Force Base. This effort is a collaboration between the BLM AFS and the U.S. Army Alaska. As conditions allow, the burning could continue through August.
Alaska crews head south to help fight Lower 48 wildfires
Three Alaska wildland firefighting crews headed to the Lower 48 on Friday to assist with wildfire suppression efforts in the western United States. The three crews – the BLM Alaska Fire Service Midnight Sun and Chena interagency hotshot crews and… Read More ›
No reported injuries in aviation incident on Birch Creek Fire
No injuries were reported after an aircraft incident during suppression efforts on a wildfire about 120 air miles north of Fairbanks Tuesday afternoon. The airplane was scooping out of an unnamed body of water about 2-3 miles north of the fire when the incident occurred.
BLM AFS smokejumpers mopping up fire northwest of Circle
BLM Alaska Fire Service smokejumpers are busy mopping up the Birch Creek Fire (#346) after they and assisting aircraft were able to catch the Birch Creek Fire at 15 acres Tuesday evening.
Smokejumpers respond to two new fires in Interior Alaska
BLM Alaska Fire Service Smokejumpers responded to two fires in rural Alaska in the last few days, emphasizing dry conditions still exist in some areas despite the wet, cold weather present in other regions. The Richmond Fire (#338) burning 39 miles north of Bettles is suspected of being human caused. It’s a reminder that people still need to be careful that their outdoor activities don’t ignite a fire.
Smokejumpers quickly take care of new fire near Fort Yukon
Smoke from the Sheenjek River Fire blanketed Fort Yukon Wednesday night. All three staffed fires in Alaska are located within the Yukon Flats. Click on link to learn more.