The number of staffed fires in the BLM Alaska Fire Service protection area continues to decline. Most fires are now in monitor status. Some are being allowed to fulfill their natural ecological role, while firefighters focus on protecting nearby sites of value, transporting unneeded equipment back to the BLM AFS Cache in Fairbanks, or completing administrative tasks.
Obrien Fire
BLM AFS fire updates: Dry conditions linger in northeastern Alaska
While fire season is winding down in much of Alaska, eastern regions remain hot and dry, keeping fire danger elevated. A load of BLM Alaska Fire Service smokejumpers is mobilizing Monday evening to protect an Alaska Native allotment from the Christian Fire (#255), about 50 miles north of Fort Yukon.
BLM reduces fire closure for the western White Mountains National Recreation Area
BLM Eastern Interior Field Office has reduced the fire closure area in the western White Mountains National Recreation Area. Effective immediately, public access is reopened to a one-mile area around the Wickersham Dome Trailhead near mile 127.7 of the Elliott Highway. Beginning Aug. 1, access to Lee’s and Moose Creek cabins and Wickersham Dome will also reopen. A reduced closure area remains in effect for public and firefighter safety due to ongoing activity from the Obrien Fire (#172).
A smooth transition expected as fire activity remains minimal on the Himalaya Road group fires
Saturday, July 26 will be the Rocky Mountain CIMT2’s final workday. At that time, command will transition to a Type 3 Incident Management Team tomorrow, Sunday, July 27 at 8:00 a.m. Please note, a new information phone line is listed at the bottom of this page.Fire activity remained minimal yesterday within the Himalaya Road Fire (#223), Aggie Creek Fire (#268), and Obrien Fire (#172) areas, primarily due to the prevailing cloudy and wet conditions. The evacuation status is Level 1 “READY”.
Cool, wet weather supports backhaul and mop-up efforts on the Himalaya Road group fires
Fire activity remained minimal yesterday within the Himalaya Road Fire (#223), Aggie Creek Fire (#268), and Obrien Fire (#172) areas, primarily due to the prevailing cool and wet conditions. The evacuation status is set at Level 1 “READY” for all zones.
Crews gain ground as Himalaya Road Fire hits 43% containment
Fire activity was minimal within the Himalaya Road Fire (#223), Aggie Creek Fire (#268) and Obrien Fire (#172) yesterday. Cooler and wetter conditions will continue through Friday. Additional containment was established along Haystack Road and Glacier Creek for the Himalaya Road Fire, bringing total containment up to 43%. The evacuation status along the Elliott Highway between milepost 31 and 38 was reduced from Level 2 “SET” down to Level 1 “READY”.
Rain and reduced temperatures continue to suppress fire activity on the Himalaya Road group fires
Fire activity was minimal within the Himalaya Road Fire (#223), Aggie Creek Fire (#268) and Obrien Fire (#172) yesterday. Cooler and wetter conditions will continue through Friday.
Containment continues to grow as evacuations downgrade on Himalaya Road group fires
Fire activity was minimal within the Himalaya Road Fire (#223), Aggie Creek Fire (#268) and Obrien Fire (#172) yesterday. Cooler and wetter conditions will continue through Wednesday. Evacuation levels were downgraded from “Set” to “Ready” in multiple areas near the Himalaya Road Fire and the Aggie Creek Fire. Additional containment was established in Glacier Creek for the Himalaya Road Fire, bringing total containment up to 39%.
Containment increases on the Himalaya Road Fire and Aggie Creek Fire
Fire activity was minimal within the Himalaya Road Fire (#223), Aggie Creek Fire (#268) and Obrien Fire (#172) yesterday. Cooler and wetter conditions are moving into the area starting today and are expected to continue through Wednesday. Containment levels increased on the Aggie Creek Fire to 5%and on the Himalaya Road Fire to 19%.
Incursions complicate aerial operations as crews continue to target hot spots on Himalaya Road group fires
Fire activity was minimal within the Himalaya Road Fire (#223), Aggie Creek Fire (#268) and Obrien Fire (#172), with hot spots popping up on the west side of Aggie Creek. More hot spots and smoke columns are expected tomorrow with another warm, dry day. There were two incursions into the Temporary Flight Restriction over these fires yesterday, which poses serious risks to firefighter and public safety.