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 Friday afternoon from someone at the Yukon River Camp near the river crossing at milepost […]
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Tag Archives: Upper Yukon Zone
Smokejumpers, Chena Hotshots working on late season fire near the Yukon River Crossing
September 16, 2019 
Comments Off on Smokejumpers, Chena Hotshots working on late season fire near the Yukon River Crossing
Aerial firing started in the Cornucopia Complex
July 23, 2019 Comments Off on Aerial firing started in the Cornucopia Complex
The National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) Operations Section Chief Russ Long says aerial firing was started and then postponed earlier today on the west side of the Hadweenzic River Fire (#337), but began again about 5:00 pm as weather conditions cooperated. The burnout is intended to remove fuel between the main fire and a bible […]
Continue reading Strong winds drive fire activity on the Chalkyitsik Complex
July 21, 2019 Comments Off on Strong winds drive fire activity on the Chalkyitsik Complex
Chalkyitsik Complex – #466 (Tractor Trail 2 – #348, Frozen Calf Fire – #367, Bearnose Hill Fire – #407, and Tettjajik Creek #424) – 414,899 acres – 235 personnel are assigned to the complex A passing weather system brought much cooler temperatures and strong, gusty southwest winds to the Upper Yukon Flats but little, if […]
Continue reading Upper Yukon Zone near red flag warning, high wind gusts predicted again
July 21, 2019 Comments Off on Upper Yukon Zone near red flag warning, high wind gusts predicted again
Temperatures moderated in the Upper Yukon Zone yesterday. Although cloud cover allowed an increase in relative humidity to 30-40 percent, 30 mph wind gusts erased much of the RH benefit. Temperatures today will begin a trend towards the warmer range once again. There is potential today for large fire growth as the Fine Fuels Moisture […]
Continue reading Temps moderate today, 30 mph wind gusts expected
July 20, 2019 Comments Off on Temps moderate today, 30 mph wind gusts expected
Temperatures are expected to moderate slightly today into the 70s in the Upper Yukon Zone, although wind gusts related to pressure changes are expected to cause wind gusts in the 20-30 mph range. Strong winds from the southwest can drive fire behavior and could disrupt plans for burnout operations. Fuels remain highly flammable and are […]
Continue reading Smoke Outlook for 7/19 – 7/20: Fire weather generally moderate; Upper Yukon still extreme
July 19, 2019 Comments Off on Smoke Outlook for 7/19 – 7/20: Fire weather generally moderate; Upper Yukon still extreme
Cooler weather and rainfall have decreased fire activity in some Alaskan communities, while dry and warmer temperatures continue to promote fire activity elsewhere across the state. There are currently 215 fires burning across Alaska, producing varying amounts of smoke that has the potential to travel large distances in some cases. Residents who have known health […]
Continue reading Upper Yukon Zone: High potential for fire growth today
July 19, 2019 Comments Off on Upper Yukon Zone: High potential for fire growth today
Fire continues to exhibit extreme behavior in parts of the Upper Yukon Zone, which continues to be one of the warmest areas in the state, with relative humidity between 20-30 percent. Continued warm temperatures have dried fuels considerably. Indices that measure fuels and how receptive they are to fire remain in the high to very […]
Continue reading Chalkyitsik Fuels Build-up Index hits record high
July 18, 2019 Comments Off on Chalkyitsik Fuels Build-up Index hits record high
Rainfall across Alaska continues to avoid the Upper Yukon zone, with conditions at extreme levels predicted to drive fire activity across the Yukon flats.The Buildup Index (BUI) is the best indicator of seasonal severity and overall flammability in the boreal forest here in Alaska, representing deeper drying in the duff layers and greater fuel availability. […]
Continue reading Upper Yukon Zone fuel indices remain at near record levels
July 17, 2019 Comments Off on Upper Yukon Zone fuel indices remain at near record levels
The Upper Yukon Flats remains the hottest and driest area of the state. Temperatures in the Upper Yukon zone will remain consistent in the 65 degree to 85 degree range with relative humidities between 35 percent and 45 percent. About 4,100 lightning strikes happened across the state yesterday with most touching down in the central […]
Continue reading Upper Yukon Zone temps highest in state, fuels fire activity
July 16, 2019 Comments Off on Upper Yukon Zone temps highest in state, fuels fire activity
Temperatures in the Yukon Flats will range from 65-85 degrees. Low relative humidity will be 35-45% with winds out of the west at 5-10 mph. Any thunderstorms are predicted to be accompanied by showers. Thirty-four fires are burning within the Upper Yukon Fire Management Zone; most are not threatening people or property. Ten of the […]
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