Following two days of rain, the sun has returned over the Ninetyeight Fire (#218), bringing clearer skies and improved visibility for aerial reconnaissance. Conditions on the ground have stabilized, with minimal fire growth observed. The fire is currently smoldering and creeping with some interior heat.
The Ptarmigan Complex experienced moderate fire activity yesterday morning due to mostly cloudy weather accompanied by a light drizzle. Activity increased slightly on the north end of the Turtle Fire (#243) as cloud cover broke and temperatures increased in the early afternoon. The area expects to see a warming, drying trend for the weekend. This may lead to an increase in fire activity and visible smoke.
The Roundabout Complex is now 47,819 acres, with all 2,300 acres of growth yesterday occurring on the Moldy Fire. The expansion was concentrated on the southeast corner near Roundabout Mountain. Dry conditions persist with no rainfall received and no precipitation expected until after the weekend.
Ambler will see an influx of firefighting personnel in the coming days as efforts ramp up to manage a group of fires burning between Kiana and Ambler in the Kobuk Valley. Eight of these fires have been grouped into the Goldrun Complex, which will soon be managed by a Type 3 Incident Management Team from Wyoming.
Fire activity across the Roundabout Complex remains concentrated on the Moldy Fire (#279), which has grown to 46,527 acres. All other fires in the complex continued to hold steady yesterday, with no additional growth. Crews observed around 2,500 acres of expansion on the Moldy, a quieter day compared to earlier this week. The forecast remains dry, with no rain received yesterday and no immediate precipitation expected.
Widespread rain moderated fire activity on the Ptarmigan Complex as a front stalled over the area on Wednesday. A Remote Automatic Weather Station (RAWS) near mile 140 of the Steese highway reported up to half of an inch of rain… Read More ›
A steady soaking rain fell over the Elephant Fire (#225) yesterday, resulting in another day of moderate fire behavior and no increase in fire size. Firefighters engaged the fire as the weather allowed, making steady progress throughout the day.
Today, windy conditions out of the north will continue to increase wildfire acreage in the Galena Zone – an area the size of Montana covering Western Alaska north of the Yukon River. There are 60 active wildfires in the zone… Read More ›
Strong winds and dry air fueled another active day on the Roundabout Complex, now mapped at 44,153 acres. All recent growth—approximately 4,800 acres since yesterday—has occurred on the Moldy Fire (#279). The other fires in the complex continue to remain unchanged.
Cooler, wetter weather settled over the Elephant Fire (#225) yesterday, bringing much-needed precipitation across the area. The Cherokee Hotshots scouted the southern edge of the fire and finalized a strategy to secure that portion of the perimeter. Work will begin in that area today, if weather allows. Meanwhile, the North Star Type 2 hand crew continued work on securing the eastern edge of the fire where it jumped across Minook Creek.
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 