Precipitation has fallen across the Upper Yukon for the last two days. Some areas have received up to an inch of rain during that timeframe, although the accumulation has varied across the zone. Precipitation will begin to slow on Thursday, with a return to dry and warm conditions beginning on Friday
A change in weather has arrived in the Upper Yukon, with up to 4,600 lightning strikes impacting the zone since Monday. Precipitation accumulations are variable throughout the zone, with some areas receiving as little as one tenth inch of rain and the average amount for the zone being one quarter of an inch received by 5:00 p.m. Despite the presence of moisture, the possibility of new fires becoming established from lightning strikes remains high due to dry fuels.
Today in the Upper Yukon Fire Management Zone, a red flag warning is in effect until 10 p.m. for the Yukon Flats due to abundant lightning and dry fuels. No significant precipitation has accumulated on any of the other staffed fires within the zone. An inversion of smoke persisted for most of the day, limiting some aerial operations.
There are currently four staffed fires burning in the Upper Yukon Fire Management Zone, the Tsukon (#382), Fortymile Fire (#355), Runt Fire (#330), the Obrien (#172), and the Ptarmigan Complex. A total of 214 active wildfires are burning across the State of Alaska as of July 6.
Firefighting crews continue to respond to fires in the Upper Yukon, including one new start which was discovered Friday evening.
Firefighting aircraft were assigned to a new start Friday night north of the Yukon River between Venetie and Fort Yukon. The Tsukon Fire (#382) is estimated at 10 acres and was started by lightning. It is burning in a full protection area about 17 miles southeast of Venetie and about 26 miles northwest of Fort Yukon.
The containment line around the Otter Fire (#344) about 50 miles northeast of Venetie passed the Red Flag test Wednesday.
Twelve smokejumpers and a helitack crew identified and worked to suppress any potential threats Tuesday to the containment line around the Otter Fire (#344). The fire is fully contained. Firefighters plan to remain in place through this week’s Red Flag conditions so they can take action if the fire begins to flare up.
The Otter Fire (#344) about 50 miles northeast of Venetie is fully contained but not controlled. A dozen smokejumpers also continue to fight the Fortymile Fire (#355) near Fortymile Creek about 25 miles northwest of Beaver.
Twenty smokejumpers supported by eight water scooper planes are working Sunday night to contain two new fires – one in the Tanana Zone and one in the Upper Yukon Zone.
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 