As the fire season comes to a close in Alaska, the BLM Alaska Fire Service has shut down its remote station in Galena. After a busy season supporting 71 wildfires in the Galena Zone – BLM AFS’s farthest west protection zone – almost all personnel have either returned to AFS headquarters in Fairbanks, are working on fires in the Lower 48, or have finished for the season.
Galena Zone
BLM AFS monitoring several large tundra fires in Western Alaska
The BLM Alaska Fire Service is monitoring several fires in Western Alaska, including two on the Noatak River and one on the Seward Peninsula. Galena Zone personnel will conduct routine flyovers of these large tundra fires. The Tututalak Fire (#135),… Read More ›
East Fork Fire spots on west side of Andreafsky River
After another active day of burning, BLM Alaska Fire Service officials in Galena are reassessing efforts after the East Fork Fire, burning north of St. Mary’s, spotted on the west side of the Andreafsky River Tuesday afternoon. Alaska Type 2 Incident Management Green Team ordered to manage efforts on the wildfire burning north of St. Mary’s
Smokejumpers protecting cabin, Native allotment from East Fork Fire north of St. Mary’s
Smokejumpers anticipate having a few days of work ahead of them to ensure the East Fork Fire won’t impact the allotment. Additionally, this will allow fire personnel to be in the area if they are needed to move to other allotments and cabins that need protection from the 2,000-acre fire burning in the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. This lightning-caused fire started Tuesday.
BLM AFS seeking to add village-based Type 2 wildland firefighting contract crews in Western Alaska
Solicitation period expected Feb. 25- March 26, 2021 FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Contract proposals for Western Alaska Village-based Type 2 wildland firefighting hand crews will be sought for the 2021 fire season by about March 26, 2021, according to a pre-solicitation notice published… Read More ›
BLM AFS seeks contracts for Alaska village-based Type 2 wildland firefighting crews
The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (BLM AFS) is soliciting contracts for Type 2 wildland firefighting hand crews based in rural Alaska villages for the 2020 fire season. Multiple contractors may be selected to base crews in communities… Read More ›
Behind the Scenes in Galena – Alaska Fire Service
Known for its rugged independence, the BLM Alaska Fire Service Galena Fire Management Zone supports all BLM AFS efforts across 93 million acres in western Alaska – an area roughly the size of Montana. Located 400 river miles and 271… Read More ›
Lightning delivers another round of fires in northwestern Alaska
Fire season has ebbed and flowed in Western Alaska with lightning delivering another round of fires in the past few days. Lightning ignited 11 new fires in three days within the BLM Alaska Fire Service Galena Zone had that encompasses… Read More ›
Lightning causes 16 new fires on Seward Peninsula
Smokejumpers and water-scoopers are working on a handful of fires in the Deering area after BLM Alaska Fire Service had 16 new fire starts on the Seward Peninsula within a little more than three hours Wednesday. All are a result… Read More ›
Smokejumpers, aircraft contain 160-acre fire near Unalakleet
With help from water-dropping aircraft, eight BLM Alaska Fire Service smokejumpers were able to contain a 160-acre fire burning about six miles east of Unalakleet late Sunday night. The South River Hills Fire (#207) was reported by the Unalakleet Fire… Read More ›