The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Midnight Sun Hotshots helped nearly two dozen smokejumpers complete a hose lay around the Jade Fire (#285) on Wednesday. This part of Alaska is among the hottest and driest in the state, with red flag warnings in effect for the Upper Kobuk and Lower Koyukuk Valleys today. This means conditions could lead to the development of large and dangerous fires.
2026 Alaska Fire Season
Crews advance containment on four staffed fires in Mat-Su and Southwest Areas
44 firefighters continue working on four staffed fires within the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection’s Coastal Region in the Mat-Su and Southwest Areas. Fire activity remained limited across Southcentral and Southwest Alaska this week. With increased containment on staffed… Read More ›
More Lightning Predicted Across the State as Work Continues on U.S. Wildland Fire Service Incidents
A strong band of thunderstorms with abundant lightning again covered a broad swath of the state on Wednesday, from the southwest to northeast. A dense concentration of lightning strikes was recorded in the Brooks Range and the northern reaches of… Read More ›
Starry firefighters reach 60% containment
It’s been six days since the initial attack of the Starry Fire (#234) in Anderson, Alaska. So far firefighters have stopped progression of the 547-acre fire, wrapped it with dozer line and hose and have secured 10 feet in around… Read More ›
Smoky Conditions Possible Along Taylor Highway Due to Polly Fire
Drivers traveling on the Taylor Highway (Alaska Highway 5) near milepost 110 should be aware of possible smoke impacts from the Polly Fire (228) that could reduce visibility. They should also watch for and yield to firefighting traffic.
Crews continue making progress on Delta Fires
#222 Granite Fire– The Clackamas Crew joined the Southwest Type 1 Crew and TCC Squad A on the Granite Fire today. The fire is now 85% contained. A thermal detection drone was flown over the fire to identify any remaining heat. A Temporary Flight Restriction… Read More ›
More Firefighters Heading to Ambler for Jade Fire
Water‑scooping airplanes and 23 smokejumpers working on the Jade Fire (#285) worked into the early morning hours and successfully slowed the fire burning about 5 miles west of Ambler. It was estimated at 65 acres and was actively torching in heavy… Read More ›
U.S. Wildland Fire Service continues work on wildfires in Central, Interior Alaska
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service presently has staff on the Canyon, Polly, Betula, and Shorty fires, and three of the six fires that make up the Elliott Complex northwest of Minto. A separate update will be provided for a new… Read More ›
Smokejumpers, aircraft responding to new fire near Ambler
11 p.m. Update, and the last for June 23, 2026: The fire is now estimated at 30 acres as smokejumpers and aircraft continue to work on the fire. More updates will be available Wednesday. 9:50 p.m. Update, June 23, 2026:… Read More ›
Delta Area fires receive rain as suppression efforts continue
Rapeseed Fire (#275)Initially reported on June 22, the Rapeseed Fire (#275) is located approximately 5.3 miles east of Milepost 1410 of the Alaska Highway. The fire is estimated at 39 acres and is burning primarily in black spruce.A soft tracked… Read More ›