A change in weather has brought cooler temperatures, lower relative humidity, and scattered precipitation to the Ptarmigan Complex. These conditions have moderated fire behavior and given firefighters the opportunity to engage in direct tactics on the Turtle Fire (#243).
Birch Fire
New incident management team arrives to the Ptarmigan Complex; shift in weather expected
The Alaska Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team arrived on Sunday to shadow the current outgoing team and assumed command of the fire this morning at 7:00 a.m. There are currently 138 personnel assigned to the Ptarmigan Complex. Today, a weather shift will be occurring across the Alaska interior as the lingering high-pressure ridge begins to collapse.
Ptarmigan Complex firefighters prepped for another hot, dry day
Today is expected to be another day of high temperatures, low humidity, and wind. These conditions are expected to increase fire activity and smoke across the Ptarmigan Complex. Extreme fire behavior is possible.
Turtle Fire exhibits extreme fire behavior; Red Flag Warning issued
A Red Flag Warning has been issued for today due to a forecast that calls for high temperatures, low humidity, and wind. These conditions are expected to cause increased fire activity and smoke across the Ptarmigan Complex. Extreme fire behavior is possible.
Heat advisory issued for Ptarmigan Complex area; fire activity expected to increase
A Heat Advisory has been issued for today. The area forecast calls for high temperatures, low humidity, and wind. These conditions are expected to cause increased fire activity and smoke across the Ptarmigan Complex because fuels are more receptive to fire.
Hot weather brings increased fire activity across Ptarmigan Complex
A Red Flag Warning has been issued for today due to a forecast calling for high temperatures, low humidity, and wind. These conditions are expected to cause increased fire activity and smoke across the Ptarmigan Complex as fuels become more receptive to fire and hotspots begin to show themselves.
Increased fire activity expected today across the Ptarmigan Complex
A Red Flag Warning has been issued for today due to a forecast calling for high temperatures, low humidity, and wind. These conditions are expected to cause increased fire activity and smoke across the Ptarmigan Complex as fuels become more receptive to fire and hotspots begin to show themselves.
Ptarmigan Complex firefighters continue to prepare for Red Flag conditions
The National Weather Service in Fairbanks has issued a Red Flag Warning for Wednesday due to a forecast that calls for hot, dry weather and windy conditions. In preparation, firefighters assigned to the Ptarmigan Complex worked over the past several days to reinforce saw lines and improve protection for Alaska Native allotments and other values at risk.
Increased fire activity possible for Ptarmigan Complex due to hot, dry weather
Firefighters put in hard work preparing lines and extinguishing hotspots around the Ptarmigan Complex over the past few days, taking advantage of the cooler, wetter weather. A warming, drying trend is forecast for the next five days. This brings the potential for thunderstorms with lightning and drier fuels that are more receptive to fire.
Firefighters continue to make progress on the Ptarmigan Complex
Firefighters assigned to the Ptarmigan Complex continued to make progress Saturday on the Turtle Fire (#243), Alligator Fire (#265), and Birch Fire (#256).