The Ninetyeight Fire (#218) continues to challenge crews with warm, dry weather conditions that have led to moderate fire behavior. Over the weekend, fire activity slightly increased, with creeping and smoldering observed along the southern edge, while single-tree torching occurred in the north.
Firefighters continue their determined efforts to contain the Ninetyeight Fire (#218), achieving 40% of their containment objectives despite persistent warm and dry conditions. Saturday’s fire behavior remained minimal, marked by creeping, smoldering, and isolated torching. The most concentrated heat continues to be located in the fire’s southwest corner and northern edge.
Firefighters are making steady progress toward protecting cabins and other values at risk from the Ninetyeight Fire (#218) as warmer, drier conditions persist across the area. Forty percent of the work toward this goal has been completed. No growth has been observed and the fire behavior Friday included creeping and smoldering with isolated torching.
Wetting rains brought a welcome pause in fire activity on the Ninetyeight Fire (#218), allowing firefighters to make strategic progress on containment lines and structure protection. While smoldering continued in some areas, overall fire behavior remained minimal under cooler, wetter conditions.
Recent cooler temperatures and periods of scattered rainfall have brought welcome relief to crews battling the Ninetyeight Fire (#218). The weather shift has enabled progress on fire containment and structure protection across key areas. Yesterday, the fire’s activity remained low, largely limited to smoldering and creeping behavior. Periods of moderate rain in the south and southwest zone helped dampen fire behavior allowing firefighters to bolster and secure containment lines. In the northern section of the fire, low cloud cover hampered visibility, limiting efforts. Meanwhile, crews in the east successfully completed structure protection work on Alaska Native allotments, with plans to begin new structure protective efforts today.
The Ninetyeight Fire (#218) experienced a welcome shift in weather, with cooler temperatures, increased humidity, and light rainfall. These improved conditions allowed firefighters to strengthen and secure containment lines on the southern and southwestern flanks yesterday. On the east side, favorable weather helped crews focus on completing protection work for Alaska Native allotments. In the northern division, firefighters used defensive burning techniques to safeguard military infrastructure by removing surrounding fuels and reducing risk to critical assets.
The Salcha River Fire (#197) and Marshall Mountain Fires (#193) were first reported on June 18, 2025, and have since merged, now being managed as the Marshall Mountain Fire (#193). Fairbanks area forestry resources and Smokejumpers are on scene working… Read More ›
Rain fell on much of the McDonald Fire area Monday night, with more predicted, giving firefighters time to prepare cabin sites along 5 Mile Creek in case hot, windy, and dry conditions return. Firefighters started clearing brush from around structures and getting sprinkler systems set in place in case the estimated 28,800-acre fire makes another push south toward the cabins south of the fire.
BLM Alaska Fire Service Smokejumpers and water scoopers mobilized Monday afternoon to protect a group of cabins threatened as the McDonald Fire continues to grow despite moderated conditions. The fire is estimated at about 24,000 acres.
Saturday, high temperatures and southeast wind contributed to increased fire activity on the McCoy Creek fire. Firefighters enhanced fire lines along the Salcha River corridor and utilized aircraft, including tankers and helicopters, to protect structures north of the fire area…. Read More ›
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 