Wildfires in the Yukon Flats exhibited extreme fire behavior Thursday for the second day in a row – prompting smokejumpers to conduct burn operations to protect two Native allotments and a cabin.
Upper Yukon Zone
Wildfires show extreme behavior in northeastern Alaska due to dry, warm conditions
While rains have swept through a majority of Alaska, they have largely avoided northeastern Alaska which remains the warmest, driest part of the state. The area hasn’t seen a new fire since July 29, but existing wildfires in the Yukon Flats remain very active while other fires in the rest of the state are largely dormant.
Fire Management Officer Dustin Widmer visits Fort Yukon as firefighters regroup for late season fires.
The first wave of a multi-day southwest flow of moisture reached the Yukon Flats yesterday afternoon bringing the forecasted cooler temperatures and moisture. This is anticipated to continue for the next several days. With a decrease in fire activity, and… Read More ›
Firefighters make progress on 4 fires in Upper Yukon Zone; 2 new fires reported
Nearly 500 lightning strikes were recorded Friday in the Upper Yukon Zone. As of Saturday morning two new starts, the Waterfall Fire (#423) and Hard Luck Fire (#424), were reported. It’s possible more new starts will be reported today as… Read More ›
NEW FIRE: 12 smokejumpers fighting Sunset Fire (#369) 60 miles east of Ruby
Twelve smokejumpers are fighting the Sunset Fire (#369), which is burning near the banks of the Yukon River about 60 miles upriver from Ruby. The fire is in a Full Protection area. Two allotments between the fire and the river… Read More ›
Crews work toward full suppression of Fish Fire (#319) near Dalton Highway
Firefighters made good progress on full suppression of the Fish Fire (#319) yesterday. The fire is located west of mile post 115 on the Dalton Highway near the Arctic Circle Wayside and Arctic Circle Campground. The wayside and campground remain… Read More ›
Nevada Team takes command of Fish Fire, 5 other fires along Dalton Hwy
A Type 3 incident management team from Nevada led by Incident Commander Erik Newell and staffed with 77 personnel is working to fully suppress the Fish Fire (#319) and monitor five other wildfires in the Yukon and Tanana zones along… Read More ›
Firefighters, aircraft work on fire southeast of Dalton Highway Yukon River Crossing
Firefighters and multiple aircraft are busy Friday night trying to suppress the Isom Creek Fire (#187) burning southeast of the Yukon River Crossing on the Dalton Highway. Sixteen BLM Alaska Fire Service smokejumpers and multiple aircraft including two large and… Read More ›
BLM AFS seeks contracts for Alaska village-based Type 2 wildland firefighting crews
The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (BLM AFS) is soliciting contracts for Type 2 wildland firefighting hand crews based in rural Alaska villages for the 2020 fire season. Multiple contractors may be selected to base crews in communities… Read More ›
Smokejumpers, Chena Hotshots working on late season fire near the Yukon River Crossing
The Chena Hotshots are mopping up a 7-acre fire that started Friday near the Yukon River crossing on the Dalton Highway about 80 miles north of Fairbanks. Smokejumpers responded to Fire #811, the Smoothface Mountain Fire, after it was reported… Read More ›
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 