As of 4.p.m. on Friday, there were 144 active wildfires statewide, with 18 new starts in the past 24 hours. So far, 278 fires have burned 270,478 acres across Alaska. Brief updates are provided for the staffed fires in northwestern… Read More ›
McDonald Fire
McDonald Fire slows as it reaches old burn areas
FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Fire behavior on the McDonald Fire moderated somewhat on Thursday. Isolated, light sprinkles on the north area of the fire resulted in localized cooler temperatures, assisting suppression efforts. As the fire burns into fire scars (previously burned… Read More ›
BLM Alaska Fire Service Fire Update
A red flag warning is in effect today, June 27, from 10 a.m. through 10 p.m. High lightning activity is forecast over dry fuels, with high potential for new fires to start. Hot, dry, windy conditions are expected to cause… Read More ›
Clear Fire and McDonald Fire merge as fire activity increases
Size: 107,391 acres Personnel: 83 Start Date: June 8, 2024 Cause: Lightning FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Fire behavior continues to be active on the McDonald Fire. Both the Clear Fire and McDonald Fire saw growth yesterday, and as of today’s shift the fires have merged. Pioneer… Read More ›
McDonald Fire sees another day of active fire behavior
Size: 62,507 acres Personnel: 72 Start Date: June 8, 2024 Cause: Lightning FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Fire behavior was active again Tuesday, ranging from group torching to backing and flanking around the entire perimeter. Group torching is defined as the burning of a small group of… Read More ›
Transfer of command on McDonald Fire
Size: 54,158 acres Personnel: 83 Start Date: June 8, 2024 Cause: Lightning FAIRBANKS, Alaska – After two weeks managing efforts on the McDonald Fire, command of the fire to a new Type 3 incident management organization occurred at 7 a.m., Tuesday. The two groups spent… Read More ›
Wildfire season presses on in BLM AFS protection area
Information on staffed wildfires burning in BLM AFS protection area covering most of northern Alaska.
Hot and dry temperatures persist on the McDonald Fire
Size: 50,262 acres Personnel: 83 Start Date: June 8, 2024 Cause: Lightning FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Sunday was another hot and dry day on the McDonald Fire with temperatures reaching a high of 82 degrees, with a low humidity of 24%. Firefighters continue to monitor burnout operations… Read More ›
McDonald Fire managers extend response to the NW to include the Clear Fire
Size: 47,304 acres Personnel: 83 Start Date: June 8, 2024 Cause: Lightning FAIRBANKS, Alaska – McDonald Fire managers have extended fire response to include the 3,565-acre Clear Fire (#204), about 15 miles to the northwest of the McDonald Fire. The Clear Fire is burning in proximity to… Read More ›
Burn operations complete on the McDonald Fire
Size: 44,892 acres Personnel: 83 Start Date: June 8, 2024 Cause: Lightning FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Firefighter resources on the McDonald Fire have completed burn operations on the south side of the fire, west of the 5 Mile Creek cabins. Burn operations remove fuels between values at… Read More ›