BLM Eastern Interior Field Office

Few staffed fires remain as firefighters demobilize across BLM AFS protection area

The number of staffed fires in the BLM Alaska Fire Service protection area continues to decline. Most fires are now in monitor status. Some are being allowed to fulfill their natural ecological role, while firefighters focus on protecting nearby sites of value, transporting unneeded equipment back to the BLM AFS Cache in Fairbanks, or completing administrative tasks.

BLM reduces fire closure for the western White Mountains National Recreation Area

BLM Eastern Interior Field Office has reduced the fire closure area in the western White Mountains National Recreation Area. Effective immediately, public access is reopened to a one-mile area around the Wickersham Dome Trailhead near mile 127.7 of the Elliott Highway. Beginning Aug. 1, access to Lee’s and Moose Creek cabins and Wickersham Dome will also reopen. A reduced closure area remains in effect for public and firefighter safety due to ongoing activity from the Obrien Fire (#172).

BLM announces emergency closure of trails and off-road areas in Nome Creek Valley due to wildland fire activity in the White Mountains National Recreation Area

To protect the public and provide for firefighter safety in light of ongoing wildland fire activity associated with the Ophir fire (#216), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Eastern Interior Field Office is closing the trails and off-road areas in the Nome Creek Valley of the White Mountains National Recreation Area accessible from the U.S. Creek Road at mile 57 Steese Highway. A map of the closure area is attached.