Firefighters are making steady progress across the Roundabout Complex, with several crews completing key suppression objectives and being repositioned to priority areas. With a warming and drying trend on the horizon, fire managers continue to adapt strategies to stay ahead of changing conditions and protect values at risk.
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.
Crews continue making progress on Ninetyeight Fire
On Sunday, helicopter bucket work continued on the north side of the Ninetyeight Fire (#218) to cool hotspots where fire behavior was active, including the northeast side where fire was backing towards the north in one section with creeping, smoldering, and some torching in the hills of military land to the north. Heat was observed in pockets but was not continuous. Fire behavior was not very active on the southern side.
Increased fire activity possible for Ptarmigan Complex due to hot, dry weather
Firefighters put in hard work preparing lines and extinguishing hotspots around the Ptarmigan Complex over the past few days, taking advantage of the cooler, wetter weather. A warming, drying trend is forecast for the next five days. This brings the potential for thunderstorms with lightning and drier fuels that are more receptive to fire.
Firefighters reach 90% containment on Otter Fire 50 miles northeast of Venetie
The Otter Fire (#344) was 90% contained Sunday night with no growth in acreage reported following two days of solid work in rugged terrain by 20 smokejumpers, a helitack crew, and the air crews of multiple firefighting aircraft.
20 smokejumpers, 8 scoopers respond to 2 fires in Tanana, Upper Yukon zones
Twenty smokejumpers supported by eight water scooper planes are working Sunday night to contain two new fires – one in the Tanana Zone and one in the Upper Yukon Zone.
Firefighters on the Lush Fire continue work to protect values at risk near Rampart
Areas of heat and visible smokes remain around the perimeter of the Lush Fire (#199) today. With the weather continuing into a warming and drying trend, more active fire behavior is anticipated.
Firefighters advance suppression efforts on 14,206-acre Roundabout Complex ahead of drying trend
The Roundabout Complex is now 14,206 acres. Firefighters are making steady progress, continuing point protection around critical values at risk. With a warming and drying trend expected this week, crews are preparing for the potential of increased fire activity.
Helicopter water drops cool hotspots on the Ninetyeight Fire
With higher temperatures and north and west winds, the Ninetyeight Fire (#218) saw slight increases in fire activity on Saturday, with some light torching on the southwest side.Helicopter bucket drops were used to cool hot spots near Mile 34, and crews with water pumps, hoses, and saws worked the area and headed west. Crews assessed fire line and continued to mop up hot spots. Crews are nearing completing of preparation work on Alaska Native allotments and are now doing additional mop up to bolster line depth.
Firefighters continue to make progress on the Ptarmigan Complex
Firefighters assigned to the Ptarmigan Complex continued to make progress Saturday on the Turtle Fire (#243), Alligator Fire (#265), and Birch Fire (#256).
Firefighters hold perimeters, prioritize protection as Roundabout Complex fires remain stable
Yesterday, the Northern New Mexico Incident Management Team successfully kept all active fires in the Roundabout Complex within their established perimeters, with the total acreage remaining steady at 13,888 acres. Firefighters continue to use a full suppression strategy, focusing on point protection around critical values at risk.
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 