The Ptarmigan Complex experienced moderate fire activity yesterday morning due to mostly cloudy weather accompanied by a light drizzle. Activity increased slightly on the north end of the Turtle Fire (#243) as cloud cover broke and temperatures increased in the early afternoon. The area expects to see a warming, drying trend for the weekend. This may lead to an increase in fire activity and visible smoke.
Widespread rain moderated fire activity on the Ptarmigan Complex as a front stalled over the area on Wednesday. A Remote Automatic Weather Station (RAWS) near mile 140 of the Steese highway reported up to half of an inch of rain… Read More ›
Precipitation has fallen across the Upper Yukon for the last two days. Some areas have received up to an inch of rain during that timeframe, although the accumulation has varied across the zone. Precipitation will begin to slow on Thursday, with a return to dry and warm conditions beginning on Friday
A change in weather has arrived in the Upper Yukon, with up to 4,600 lightning strikes impacting the zone since Monday. Precipitation accumulations are variable throughout the zone, with some areas receiving as little as one tenth inch of rain and the average amount for the zone being one quarter of an inch received by 5:00 p.m. Despite the presence of moisture, the possibility of new fires becoming established from lightning strikes remains high due to dry fuels.
Today in the Upper Yukon Fire Management Zone, a red flag warning is in effect until 10 p.m. for the Yukon Flats due to abundant lightning and dry fuels. No significant precipitation has accumulated on any of the other staffed fires within the zone. An inversion of smoke persisted for most of the day, limiting some aerial operations.
The Alaska Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team arrived on Sunday to shadow the current outgoing team and assumed command of the fire this morning at 7:00 a.m. There are currently 138 personnel assigned to the Ptarmigan Complex. Today, a weather shift will be occurring across the Alaska interior as the lingering high-pressure ridge begins to collapse.
There are currently four staffed fires burning in the Upper Yukon Fire Management Zone, the Tsukon (#382), Fortymile Fire (#355), Runt Fire (#330), the Obrien (#172), and the Ptarmigan Complex. A total of 214 active wildfires are burning across the State of Alaska as of July 6.
Firefighting crews continue to respond to fires in the Upper Yukon, including one new start which was discovered Friday evening.
Firefighting aircraft were assigned to a new start Friday night north of the Yukon River between Venetie and Fort Yukon. The Tsukon Fire (#382) is estimated at 10 acres and was started by lightning. It is burning in a full protection area about 17 miles southeast of Venetie and about 26 miles northwest of Fort Yukon.
The containment line around the Otter Fire (#344) about 50 miles northeast of Venetie passed the Red Flag test Wednesday.
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 