Buckley Bar Fire

Smoke billows up from two fingers of a fire running parallel to each other. A hill and a river are in the background.

BLM AFS responds to increased fire activity

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In response to a recent uptick in fire activity during a warm and dry weekend, BLM Alaska Fire Service smokejumpers mobilized to three active fires over the past two days, including two new lightning-caused starts. They are focused on protecting Alaska Native allotments and remote cabins at risk from increased fire behavior.

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.

A group of 17 firefighters stand underneath a yellow tarp. The tarp is supported by wood posts and tied to the ground. The tarp covers most of the camp supplies for the firefighters.

Warming and drying trend in the forecast for Ptarmigan Complex, drone module assigned to support incident

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The Ptarmigan Complex experienced moderate fire activity yesterday morning due to mostly cloudy weather accompanied by a light drizzle. Activity increased slightly on the north end of the Turtle Fire (#243) as cloud cover broke and temperatures increased in the early afternoon. The area expects to see a warming, drying trend for the weekend. This may lead to an increase in fire activity and visible smoke.