Alligator Fire

A man wearing a backpack is on his hands and knees while digging in the dirt.

BLM AFS fires update: Crews continue work as fire managers prepare for chance of warmer weather, possible increased activity

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In BLM AFS’s protection area, 166 active fires remain amidst warmer, drier weather conditions, prompting increased vigilance from fire managers. So far, 404 fires have burned nearly 1 million acres. Crews are completing suppression tasks on major fires like Ptarmigan and Lush, while remaining prepared for potential new fire activity.

Graphic with black and red background, BLM logos and the words BLM Alaska Fire Service and Wildfire Update.

Tlozhavun Fire declared out; crews continue fire and aviation operations on the Ptarmigan Complex

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Fire managers called the Tlozhavun Fire out yesterday after the fire was 100% contained and completely suppressed. A 38-person Type 4 management organization continues to strategically engage on the Ptarmigan Complex fires. Warmer and drier weather will move into the BLM Alaska Fire Service (BLM AFS) Upper Yukon Zone, which covers northeastern Alaska, over the weekend.

The inside of an aircraft cockpit with various gauges and reading instruments as it flies above vast green vegetation. A sliver of gray river can be seen in the photo background and the sky is overcast.

Work continues on the Turtle Fire as backhaul operations begin on the Ptarmigan Complex

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The weather area forecast for the Ptarmigan Complex continues to call for scattered moisture, cooler temperatures, and potential thunderstorms over the next few days. Fire activity across the complex yesterday was minimal, with creeping and smoldering observed.  As more of the fires in the complex transition to monitor status and no heat is detected, backhaul operations are beginning with pumps and hose being removed from fires where the threat is no longer perceived.

An aerial view of a landscape effected by fire. A braided river, Birch Creek, flows through the center of the image, to the right of the burnt area. A small plume of smoke rises from an area on the fire side of the creek, close to the water. On the far side of Birch Creek, the timber is unburnt and green. Clouds cover the sky.

Crews transition on Ptarmigan Complex, thunderstorms bring wind and light precipitation

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The weather area forecast for the Ptarmigan Complex continues to call for scattered moisture, cooler temperatures, and potential thunderstorms over the next few days. Fire activity across the complex yesterday was minimal with the increased activity occurring on the Buckley Bar Fire and the southern end of the Turtle Fire after a series of thunderstorms brought strong winds to the complex in the early evening. 

A close up shot of a drone on it's landing pad. The pad sits on wood litter, and there are trees in the background. The sky has scattered clouds and is mostly clear.

New thermal imaging leads to an increase in acreage across the Ptarmigan Complex 

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As a result of new thermal imaging and improved mapping, the Ptarmigan Complex total fire acreage increased to 49,508 acres. The acreage for the largest fire, the Turtle (#242) is 34,903. The Ikheenjik Fire (#243) is being included as part of the Turtle Fire for management and acreage. There was minimal fire activity present yesterday across the complex, with the observed fire behavior consisting of flanking, creeping, and smoldering. The warming and drying trend for the weekend may still lead to an increase in fire activity and smoke.