Alaska BLM Fire Service Update – Alaska Wildfire Information

As of 4 p.m. Friday, there were 144 active wildfires burning across the state, with 18 new fires starting in the past 24 hours. So far, 278 fires have burned 270,478 acres across Alaska. Brief updates are provided for monitored fires in Northwest Alaska, within the BLM Alaska Fire Service Protection Area.

Deep (#213) – Firefighters continue to work on point fire protection, currently focusing on two structures located on the south shore of Lake Minchumina. They are removing combustibles near the structures, laying hoses and installing pumps and sprinklers. Firefighters are also assessing the protection needs of other structures in the area. Twenty-eight personnel remain on the fire, estimated at 6,000 acres, about 8 miles southwest of the Lake Minchumina community.

East Twin (#238) – Steady rain extinguished the fire for about an hour last night. Today, the Tanana Chiefs Type 2 Initial Attack Fire Team based out of Tok continues to drive the grid across the smoldering fire looking for hot spots and mopping up. There has been no perimeter growth in recent days; the fire area is estimated at 7 acres. It is located about 90 miles southwest of Fairbanks and about 45 miles east of Clear Airport.

Belvedere (#300) – Bettles residents reported Thursday that this lightning-caused fire was raging in Black Spruce. Four parachutist firefighters intervened, supported by two water pumping planes. On Friday afternoon, six additional parachute firefighters were deployed. Firefighters continue to cut a saw line around the perimeter and water pumping planes are helping to moderate fire activity. The fire is estimated at 9 acres and is located about 16 miles southwest of Bettles.

Fickett (#301) – Bettles residents also reported Thursday that this lightning-sparked fire is raging in Black Spruce. Eight paramedic firefighters responded, supported by two water-jet aircraft. Today, firefighters continue to cut a cutline around the perimeter and water-jet aircraft are helping to moderate fire activity. The fire is estimated at 23 acres and is located about 15 miles southwest of Bettles.

Little Black (#223) – The firefighters are made up of 5 smoke bombs and the Clear Water Crew. Clear Water Crew is an Alaska-based Type 2 contract crew hailing from Mountain Village, St. Mary's, Pilot Station and Marshall. The firefighters' current priority is the protection of housing developments located to the north. The fire is located approximately 19 miles southwest of Shungnak and is estimated at 1,186 acres with 25 people on scene.

Naluk (#209) – The fire is still active. A helicopter with a 12-person module arrived on scene Thursday and will work with the 12 paratroopers on scene to continue protecting structures and gardens. The fire is located approximately 20 miles north of Selawik, Selawik National Wildlife Refuge and is estimated at 8,000 acres with 24 personnel on scene.

McDonald (#119) – Fire behavior moderated today as the fire burns previously burned areas. Crews continued to secure the fire boundary and completed construction of an indirect line on the south side of the fire to reduce the threat to structures. One module and two engines were patrolling the Richardson Highway and adjacent communities. The fire is located west of the Tanana River and is estimated to be over 107,391 acres with 73 personnel on scene. For more information, please visit:

An Alaska Complex Incident Management Team is scheduled to provide a briefing on the Globe Fire and three other fires currently being monitored tomorrow, Saturday, June 29. The team will follow current fire management on Sunday June 30 and will take command at 7:00 a.m. Monday July 1.

Globe (#253) – Firefighters worked to spot protect the Globe Creek Campground, removing combustibles and installing water spreading systems. Response personnel will monitor the safety of residents while continuing to provide timely protection of structures, critical infrastructure and road transportation systems. The fire is located 40 miles north of Fairbanks and is estimated at 6,333 acres with 60 people on scene. Expect delays on the Elliot Highway between mileposts 28 and 50 due to changing fire conditions and firefighting activities in the area. For more information, please visit:

Slate (#248) – The fire is estimated at 2,685 acres and is being monitored.

Iver (#249) – The fire is estimated at 2,875 acres and is being monitored.

Fossil (#115) – The fire is estimated at 8 acres and is being monitored.

Idaho Team 1, Great Basin Geographic Area, Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the five lightning-ignited fires in the Upper Yukon Area at 7 a.m. Friday June 28.

Deception Puppy (#252) – Firefighters secured the fire perimeter and began clean-up operations. Fire behavior was minimal due to shade provided by heavy smoke. A Type 2 helicopter continues to transport supplies to the isolated location. An additional team has arrived at the forward operating base. The fire, located 3 miles west of Central, Alaska, is mapped at 120 acres with 51 people on scene.

Bottle (#259) – Parachute firefighters were able to complete the saw line and install hoses around the entire perimeter of the fire. Mopping up operations have begun. The fire is located south of Circle, Alaska, west of the Yukon River and was estimated at 10 acres with 31 personnel on scene.

American (#262) – The fire is located in the White Mountains and has been estimated at 450 acres and. Fires will continue to be monitored.

Crazy (#153) – The fire is located in the West Crazy Mountains, north of the White Mountains and is estimated at 347 acres. The fire will continue to be monitored.

Ikheejik (#184) – The fire is located southeast of Circle, Alaska, east of Birch Creek and is estimated at 35 acres. Fires will continue to be monitored.

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-BLM-

Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Department, PO Box 35005 1541 Gaffney Road, Fort Wainwright, Ak 99703

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The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (AFS) located in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, provides wildland firefighting services on more than 240 million acres of Department of the Interior and Native Corporation lands in Alaska. In addition, the AFS has other statewide responsibilities, including: interpreting fire management policy; overseeing the BLM Alaska Aviation program; fuel management projects; and the operation and maintenance of advanced communications and computing systems such as the Alaska Lightning Detection System. AFS also maintains a National Incident Support Cache with an inventory of $18.1 million. The Alaska Fire Service provides wildland firefighting services for America's “last frontier” on an interagency basis with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the Alaska Forest Service. USDA, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Army in Alaska.

Categories: Active Wildfires, BLM Alaska Fire Service

Tags: Deception Pup, Deep Fire, East Twin Fire, Fickett Fire, Flasco Fire, Globe Fire, Little Black Fire, Lookout Fire, McDonald Fire, Naluk Fire