Lush Fire

An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) comes in for a landing along the Yukon River. Two fire personnel are shown standing along the river with their yellow Nomex shirts and green Nomex pants. Across the river, an island with tall spruce is seen. The air is very smokey.

Lush Fire utilizes water scoopers to protect Alaska Native Allotments

By on

Yesterday, fire behavior on the Lush Fire (#199) was active with small wind-driven winds, flanking, and backing. The most active area of the fire was on the southwest corner. Smokejumpers were inserted into that corner to construct direct line and keep fire out of the Native Alaska Allotments. Later in the day, helicopters with buckets and then water scoopers performed effective operations on this area. They were also utilized on the northern flank of the fire where areas of heat have been detected.

A smoke plume rises on the Lush Fire (#199). The fire is very active and pushing towards the southwest corner of the fire. The plume is rising straight up the Yukon River is on the bottom of the photograph.

Lush Fire exhibits extreme fire behavior with two mile run

By on

At approximately 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, winds on the Lush Fire (#199) increased dramatically (up to 30 miles per hour). Extreme fire behavior with wind driven runs, running fire, and spotting occurred. The fire made an estimated two mile run in under two hours, with the fire pushing from southcentral to southwest of the perimeter. Three crews had to be pulled off of the fire and shuttled across the Yukon River towards Rampart. Tankers dropped 2 loads of fire retardant around a cabin on the southwest corner of the fire.

Two firefighters are watering down a helipad to reduce debris for helicopter landing and take off. The helipad is an open gravel area next to the Yukon River. Behind the river are mountains. There is a small helicopter on the pad behind the firefighters. The firefighters are both wearing Nomex protective gear and have a hose stretched out from the river and are wetting the helipad.

Firefighters continue progress on Tanana Zone fires

By on

On Friday, the Lush Fire (#199) experienced minimal fire activity with smoldering and creeping. Some smoke showed on portions of the fire, and there is heat along the perimeter. Weather yesterday was partly to mostly sunny and there was no precipitation over the fire area. There is a small chance for scattered showers through the weekend. With the warming and drying trend over the next couple of days, more active fire behavior is anticipated.