Upper Yukon Fire Management Zone – Page 2 – Alaska Wildland Fire Information

Smokejumper surveys the Alaska landscape south of Fort Yukon from the open door of the plane.

Full containment reached on Doll Fire eight miles northwest of Stevens Village; structure protection nearly complete on Polly Fire

By BLM Alaska Fire Service on July 16, 2025

Three fires are being staffed in the Upper Yukon Zone, including, the Doll Fire (#454), the Tlozhavun Fire (#448), and the Polly Fire (#435). Firefighters will demobilize from the Doll Fire by end of shift today. Doll Fire (#454) – Reported on July 14, mapped at 9 acres and… Read More ›

Smokejumpers respond to new fire near Stevens Village; more crews mobilize to Polly Fire

By BLM Alaska Fire Service on July 15, 2025

Three fires are being staffed in the Upper Yukon Zone, including a new start, the Doll Fire (#454) which was discovered on July 14, the Tzolhavun Fire (#448), and the Polly Fire (#435).

An aerial view of a landscape effected by fire. A braided river, Birch Creek, flows through the center of the image, to the right of the burnt area. A small plume of smoke rises from an area on the fire side of the creek, close to the water. On the far side of Birch Creek, the timber is unburnt and green. Clouds cover the sky.

Crews transition on Ptarmigan Complex, thunderstorms bring wind and light precipitation

By BLM Alaska Fire Service on July 15, 2025

The weather area forecast for the Ptarmigan Complex continues to call for scattered moisture, cooler temperatures, and potential thunderstorms over the next few days. Fire activity across the complex yesterday was minimal with the increased activity occurring on the Buckley Bar Fire and the southern end of the Turtle Fire after a series of thunderstorms brought strong winds to the complex in the early evening.

Graphic with black and red background, BLM logos and the words BLM Alaska Fire Service and Wildfire Update.

New wildfire 10 miles south of Fort Yukon halted by smokejumpers and water scoopers

By BLM Alaska Fire Service on July 14, 2025

A new wildfire, the Tlozhavun (#448) was discovered 10 miles south of Fort Yukon by an Alaska Fire Service detection flight just before 9.m. on July 13.

A helicopter, with it's tail to the left side of the image, sits on the ground in a clearing, with a thick stand of trees in the background. A body of water is near the rear of the helicopter. 7 firefighters walk towards the nose of the helicopter, preparing to load.

Minimal fire activity observed across the Ptarmigan Complex

By BLM Alaska Fire Service on July 14, 2025

There was minimal fire activity present yesterday across the complex, with observed fire behavior consisting of creeping and smoldering, including isolated single tree torching on the Turtle (#243). The weather area forecast for the Ptarmigan Complex calls for scattered moisture, cooler temperatures, and potential thunderstorms over the next few days.

A close up shot of a drone on it's landing pad. The pad sits on wood litter, and there are trees in the background. The sky has scattered clouds and is mostly clear.

New thermal imaging leads to an increase in acreage across the Ptarmigan Complex

By BLM Alaska Fire Service on July 13, 2025

As a result of new thermal imaging and improved mapping, the Ptarmigan Complex total fire acreage increased to 49,508 acres. The acreage for the largest fire, the Turtle (#242) is 34,903. The Ikheenjik Fire (#243) is being included as part of the Turtle Fire for management and acreage. There was minimal fire activity present yesterday across the complex, with the observed fire behavior consisting of flanking, creeping, and smoldering. The warming and drying trend for the weekend may still lead to an increase in fire activity and smoke.

A view outside of a plane of the Polly Fire. A turbine is partially visible. Smoke rises in the distance, pushed to the left of the image. The Taylor highway is present but obscured by trees.

Polly Fire increasing activity; advisory issued for Taylor Highway

By BLM Alaska Fire Service on July 13, 2025

The Polly Fire (#435) is visible from the Taylor Highway. A caution notice has been issued for travelers from milepost 115 to 100 due to low visibility from smoke and the proximity of the fire to the highway. There are no active closures or evacuations at this time.

Looking out the spotters window of a smokejumper plane, a column of smoke rises in the distance from a wildfire. To the left of the frame, the Fortymile River flows, separated from the smoke column by one and a half miles of black spruce forest.

Smokejumpers begin point protection on Fortymile River

By BLM Alaska Fire Service on July 12, 2025

Two active fires are being staffed in the Upper Yukon zone, the Tsukon Fire (#382) and the Polly Fire (#435). Both are being managed under a point protection strategy.

A red circle landing pad is in the center of a dirt road. A drone takes flight, 20 feet in the air. One firefighter uses the control pad, while another firefighter looks over their shoulder. A truck blocks the road in the background.

No heat found on Deadwood Fire yesterday using drone module; drying trend continues on Ptarmigan Complex

By BLM Alaska Fire Service on July 12, 2025

Moderate fire activity was present yesterday with creeping and smoldering observed. Individual trees were observed torching on the Turtle Fire (#243) and individual smokes were visible from the Buckley Bar Fire (#264). The area expects to see a warming and drying trend for the weekend. This may lead to an increase in fire activity and smoke.

Graphic for new wildfire in BLM AFS area

Smokejumpers respond to new fire near Taylor Highway and Fortymile River

By BLM Alaska Fire Service on July 11, 2025

Four smokejumpers have responded to protect structures along the Fortymile River from a fire burning 34 miles south of Eagle. The Poly Fire (#435), located 2 miles east of milepost 108 of Taylor Highway, is burning in black spruce and exhibiting extreme fire behavior.