Smokejumpers assigned to a handful of fires burning in the BLM Alaska Fire Service’s Galena Zone have completed their work on some fires and are shifting their focus to other incidents.
Shiliak Fire
IMT to take command of Goldrun Complex near Ambler
A Type 3 incident management team from Wyoming is scheduled to take command of a complex of eight wildfires burning between Kiana and Ambler in the Kobuk Valley at 6 p.m. today. Some members of the team will be based in Ambler, while others will support them from Fairbanks.
Gusty northerly winds, warmer weather causing continual growth on Western Alaska fires
Today, cooler weather and windy conditions out of the north will continue to push flames and fire growth in the Galena Zone, which encompasses Western Alaska from the Yukon River north to the North Slope. The Galena Zone also recorded 1,202 lightning strikes on Monday.
Duck Fire controlled; Shiliak Fire 40% contained in Galena Zone
The Duck Fire 26 miles east of Teller is fully contained and controlled, while the Shiliak Fire northeast of Kotzebue is 40% contained.
Firefighters make progress on Duck, Shiliak fires in Galena Zone
Firefighters continue to make progress on a pair lightning-caused fires in the Galena Zone. The Duck Fire (#370) is 90% contained while the Shiliak Fire (#375) is 20% contained with no growth reported.
Smokejumpers, scoopers respond to new wildfire east of Teller
Twelve smokejumpers and multi-engine scooper planes that were staged in Galena are working to contain a new wildfire 26 miles east of Teller.
Smokejumpers, aircraft respond to Shiliak Fire near Kotzebue
Twelve smokejumpers, two single-engine scooper planes, and a helicopter are working to contain the Shiliak Fire (#374), which is about 25 miles northeast and across the water from Kotzebue.