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.
A detection flight yesterday flew several fires in the Alaska Fire Service (AFS) Upper Yukon Zone, which covers northeastern Alaska, to monitor fire behavior and activity. Daily helicopter reconnaissance flights on the Ptarmigan Complex fires are also helping firefighters determine future work and resource needs based on fire behavior.
A slight uptick in containment on the Ptarmigan Complex and two additionally fires declared out in the Upper Yukon Zone reflect the dedicated work of firefighters to actively monitor area fires and strategically respond.
In BLM AFS’s protection area, 166 active fires remain amidst warmer, drier weather conditions, prompting increased vigilance from fire managers. So far, 404 fires have burned nearly 1 million acres. Crews are completing suppression tasks on major fires like Ptarmigan and Lush, while remaining prepared for potential new fire activity.
Fire managers called the Tlozhavun Fire out yesterday after the fire was 100% contained and completely suppressed. A 38-person Type 4 management organization continues to strategically engage on the Ptarmigan Complex fires. Warmer and drier weather will move into the BLM Alaska Fire Service (BLM AFS) Upper Yukon Zone, which covers northeastern Alaska, over the weekend.
Firefighters on the Tlozhavun Fire have completely controlled and suppressed the 22-acre fire 10 miles south of Fort Yukon and will transition off the incident to support other firefighting efforts. Steady progress on Ptarmigan Complex fires continued Tuesday, including the removal of structure protection equipment because fire is no longer posing a threat to the cabin. Fire managers will continue to watch for and be ready to respond to new starts in northeastern Alaska as warmer, drier weather is expected in the coming days, particularly in the Yukon Flats.
Crews achieved 100% containment around the perimeter of the Tlozhavun Fire Monday, meaning firefighters have established a control line around the fire that should keep it from spreading. Firefighters working other fires in the BLM Alaska Fire Service (BLM AFS) Upper Yukon Zone, which covers northeastern Alaska, continue to make steady progress towards the objectives identified for each fire. Fire managers will continue to watch for and be ready to respond to new starts as the region continues to experience dry conditions.
Crew continue extinguishing hotspots along the edge of existing fires in the BLM Alaska Fire Service (AFS) Upper Yukon Zone that covers the northeastern Alaska as fire managers keep a watchful eye toward new starts in the region. Two fires were discovered Sunday via remote sensing on the Artic National Wildlife Refuge. The Ripple Fire (#468) is approximately 2 acres in size, with creeping, backing, and isolated torching behavior observed. The Sheenjek Fire (#467) is approximately 7 acres in size with creeping, backing, and isolated torching behavior in white and black spruce observed. Both fires will be monitored by occasional BLM AFS flights over the area.
Cloudy, cooler weather with the potential for showers across the Upper Yukon Zone early in the week will help crews make progress towards their objectives.
The current Type 3 incident management team assigned to the Ptarmigan Complex is transitioning at Type 4 organization with the transfer of command set to take place Sunday at 7 a.m. Firefighters and aviation resources will continue their work on the fires.
The current Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) will be transitioning down to a Type 4 IMT on July 20. Daily fire updates on the Ptarmigan Complex will end on July 20.
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 