Crews continued to battle the Ninetyeight Fire (#218) yesterday as extreme fire weather persisted for a third consecutive day. Winds and low relative humidity threatened established fire lines. Firefighters on the southwest corner, from Mile 33 to Mile 35 along the Salcha River, engaged the fire directly while bucket drops and scoopers supported containment efforts. Although the fire spotted outside the firebreaks a few times, firefighters, assisted by helicopter drops, successfully extinguished these spot fires.
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.
Ptarmigan Complex firefighters prepped for another hot, dry day
Today is expected to be another day of high temperatures, low humidity, and wind. These conditions are expected to increase fire activity and smoke across the Ptarmigan Complex. Extreme fire behavior is possible.
Firefighting resources continue to respond to fires in the Upper Yukon
Firefighting crews continue to respond to fires in the Upper Yukon, including one new start which was discovered Friday evening.
Firefighters make progress on Duck, Shiliak fires in Galena Zone
Firefighters continue to make progress on a pair lightning-caused fires in the Galena Zone. The Duck Fire (#370) is 90% contained while the Shiliak Fire (#375) is 20% contained with no growth reported.
Firefighters focus resources on Moldy Fire as Roundabout Complex expands to 27,223 acres
The Roundabout Complex is now 27,223 acres, with continued growth yesterday and similar activity expected today. The majority of fire spread occurred on the north and west sides of the Moldy Fire (#279). All firefighting resources are now focused on this incident, as crews work to protect values at risk.
Red Flag Warning in effect for Tanana Fire Management Zone – rapid growth of fires possible
A RED FLAG WARNING is in effect for the Lush Fire (#199) and other fires in the Tanana Fire Management Zone. Winds are forecast to be out of the east with 5 to 15 miles per hours (mph) sustained and gusts up to 30 mph. Humidity levels are expected to be as low as 21%. Due to these weather conditions, rapid ignition, growth and spread of fires is possible.
Turtle Fire exhibits extreme fire behavior; Red Flag Warning issued
A Red Flag Warning has been issued for today due to a forecast that calls for high temperatures, low humidity, and wind. These conditions are expected to cause increased fire activity and smoke across the Ptarmigan Complex. Extreme fire behavior is possible.
Public asked to avoid Yukon Training Areas 315-318 as Ninetyeight Fire crews conduct infrastructure protection
High heat and low humidity contributed to active fire behavior on the Ninetyeight Fire (#218) yesterday, with another significant push to the north and west. Firefighters used direct tactics to protect infrastructure on military land and keep the fire south of Brigadier Road. Due to fire crews working in this area, Training Areas 315, 316, 317, and 318 in the Yukon Training Area (YTA) are closed. For public safety and the safety of fire personnel, please avoid this area until further notice.
Aircraft respond to new Upper Yukon fire; Fortymile Fire fully contained
Firefighting aircraft were assigned to a new start Friday night north of the Yukon River between Venetie and Fort Yukon. The Tsukon Fire (#382) is estimated at 10 acres and was started by lightning. It is burning in a full protection area about 17 miles southeast of Venetie and about 26 miles northwest of Fort Yukon.
Smokejumpers, scoopers respond to new wildfire east of Teller
Twelve smokejumpers and multi-engine scooper planes that were staged in Galena are working to contain a new wildfire 26 miles east of Teller.
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 