Widespread rain moderated fire activity on the Ptarmigan Complex as a front stalled over the area on Wednesday. A Remote Automatic Weather Station (RAWS) near mile 140 of the Steese highway reported up to half of an inch of rain… Read More ›
Ikheenijik Fire
Cooler temperatures and rain assist firefighters on Ptarmigan Complex
Scattered rain fell over the Ptarmigan Complex throughout July 8. Fire resources within Central reported heavy rain while those closer to the Turtle Fire (#243) experienced more inconsistent precipitation earlier in the day. Given the shift in weather to cooler and wetter conditions, more direct tactics are being employed to protect values at risk.
Crews utilize weather change to engage with direct tactics on Turtle Fire
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).
BLM announces emergency fire closure of Lower Birch Creek Wayside near Central
To protect the public and provide for firefighter safety in light of ongoing wildland fire activity associated with the Turtle Fire (#243), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Eastern Interior Field Office announced the closure Monday night of the Lower Birch Creek Wayside near Mile 140 of the Steese Highway.
Alaska Type 3 team assumes command of fires burning near Central, Circle
A Type 3 incident management team composed primarily of Alaskans took command of the Ptarmigan Complex at 7 a.m. today. The Ptarmigan Complex is made up of a group of fires burning near Central and Circle. The Black Hills Wildland… Read More ›
More resources mobilizing to group of fires near Central, Circle
Firefighting resources – including a Type 3 Incident Management Team composed primarily of Alaskans – are mobilizing in response to extreme fire behavior from the Ikheenjik and Turtle Fires, which made a push toward the Steese Highway near Mile 140 by Birch Creek. Once in place, the team will assume management of a cluster of wildfires now grouped under the Ptarmigan Complex.
Ready evacuation warning issued Friday in area surrounding Central due to uptick in fire activity
Due to increased fire activity from a group of wildfires burning near Central and Circle, State of Alaska Emergency Operations Center has issued a Level 1 “Ready” evacuation area impacted by the six fires in the area.
More fires reported near Central
BLM Alaska Fire Service is responding to a fire southwest of Central. Two single-engine and two multi-engine water scoopers are en route to the Deadwood Fire (#214), and BLM AFS is also mobilizing smokejumpers.
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 