The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Midnight Sun Hotshots helped nearly two dozen smokejumpers complete a hose lay around the Jade Fire (#285) on Wednesday. This part of Alaska is among the hottest and driest in the state, with red flag warnings in effect for the Upper Kobuk and Lower Koyukuk Valleys today. This means conditions could lead to the development of large and dangerous fires.
Water‑scooping airplanes and 23 smokejumpers working on the Jade Fire (#285) worked into the early morning hours and successfully slowed the fire burning about 5 miles west of Ambler. It was estimated at 65 acres and was actively torching in heavy… Read More ›
Fire activity is winding down, possibly temporarily, across the state thanks to strong firefighting efforts and cooler weather. Only two fires remain staffed: the Kopshesut Fire near Ambler and the Clums Fire about 66 miles northeast of Fairbanks. Firefighters on both incidents are mopping up hotspots and plan to demobilize in the coming days.
With little change expected in the next few days aside from a likely increase in containment, the next update will be published on Monday unless there is a significant event that requires earlier communication. Firefighters are continuing to extinguish hot… Read More ›
Firefighters are continuing to make steady progress on the Kopshesut Fire as warmer weather settles over the area. Containment reached 50% on Tuesday. Firefighters successfully connected control line along the fire’s edges down to the Kobuk River. Work is now… Read More ›
Light westerly winds are predicted today and, if fire activity increases as temperatures rise, could blow smoke into Ambler. Firefighters continue strengthening firelines in chilly conditions ahead of the expected warm‑up to keep the Kopshesut Fire from moving closer to… Read More ›
Cloudy weather with isolated showers on Sunday helped firefighters secure more of the fire’s edge. Containment increased to 30%, and the fire remains estimated at 1,447 acres. Although the area received more rain than expected, it likely wasn’t enough to… Read More ›
Firefighters were already working on the ground when a small section on the west side of the fire near the Kobuk River flared up Saturday afternoon, sending a large plume of smoke into the air. The two water scoopers were… Read More ›
Winds and fire activity decreased Friday as U.S. Wildland Fire Service personnel and aircraft made progress toward containing the Kopshesut Fire (#137), burning about a mile west of Ambler. Water dropping aircraft and smokejumpers made solid progress on the eastern… Read More ›
Fire activity significantly moderated overnight, allowing U.S. Wildland Fire Service personnel to advance efforts to stop the spread of the Kopshesut Fire toward Ambler. Using a direct extinguishment strategy, 24 smokejumpers — supported by single‑engine water scoopers, helicopters, and two… Read More ›
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 