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 Eastern Interior Field Office
BLM AFS fire updates: Dry conditions linger in northeastern Alaska
While fire season is winding down in much of Alaska, eastern regions remain hot and dry, keeping fire danger elevated. A load of BLM Alaska Fire Service smokejumpers is mobilizing Monday evening to protect an Alaska Native allotment from the Christian Fire (#255), about 50 miles north of Fort Yukon.
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).
Overnight growth on Obrien Fire triggers new evacuation levels
Updated Evacuations from Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for the #OBrienFire (#172) 🟡 Level 2 “SET” – Mile post 31 (from the Fairbanks Northstar Borough boundary) – mile post 38 on the Elliot Highway is now in… Read More ›
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.
Trails, cabins closed as wildfire burns in White Mountains National Recreation Area
The Bureau of Land Management Eastern Interior Field Office temporarily closed the western portion of the White Mountains National Recreation Area on Wednesday due to a wildfire. The closure includes trails, public use cabins, trail shelters, and the Wickersham Dome… Read More ›
BLM will burn piles near Tanacross for forest health and wildfire management
In early October, the BLM’s Fairbanks District and Alaska Fire Service personnel will burn woody debris piles near Tanacross to reduce the risk of wildfire, to private property community, and to provide a safe space for firefighters to suppress fires in the future.
BLM rescinds fire closure order to prohibit access to western White Mountains National Recreation Area
Due to reduced wildland fire activity, the BLM Eastern Interior Field Office rescinded the fire closure order that temporarily prohibited public access to the western portion of the White Mountains National Recreation Area
BLM issues fire restrictions for federal lands near Steese Highway NOAA Facility
The BLM on Monday issued a Fire Prevention Order prohibiting campfires, explosives and fireworks on federal lands in a fire-prone area of black spruce near Gilmore Trail north of Fairbanks and north of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) facility site on the Steese Highway.
BLM issues fire restrictions for federal lands near Steese Highway NOAA Facility
The BLM on Monday issued a Fire Prevention Order prohibiting campfires, explosives and fireworks on federal lands in a fire-prone area of black spruce near Gilmore Trail north of Fairbanks and north of the (NOAA facility site on the Steese Highway.