BLM Alaska Fire Department Update – Alaska Wildfire Information

A Red Flag Warning is in effect today, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. High lightning activity is expected over dry fuels, with a high potential to ignite new fires. Hot, dry and windy conditions are expected to cause significant fires.

As of noon Thursday, there were 133 active wildfires burning across the state, with 20 new fires starting in the past 24 hours. So far, 265 fires have burned 225,539 acres across Alaska. Brief updates are provided for four staff on the fires in northwest Alaska, within the BLM Alaska Fire Service's protected area.

Deep (#213) – Despite aggressive efforts by aerial resources and hard work by ground firefighters, dry fuels and warm weather supported substantial fire growth Wednesday afternoon, with running, burning and spotting. The fire has outgrown available ground and aerial resources. Firefighters have pulled back and are implementing a point protection strategy, focusing first on structures on the south side of Lake Minchumina. This lightning-caused fire is currently estimated at 1,500 acres, approximately 8 miles southwest of the Lake Minchumina community.

East Twin (#238) – The Tanana Chiefs Type 2 Initial Attack Team based out of Tok continued to expand the fire line and mop up, looking for heat within the perimeter of the fire. The fire is estimated to be 75% contained as of Thursday morning. Revised mapping has calculated the fire area at 9 acres. This fire is located approximately 90 miles southwest of Fairbanks and approximately 45 miles east of Clear Airport.

Little Black (#223) The fire is spreading north, south and west in alarming weather conditions. As of Thursday afternoon, it was estimated at 1,186 acres. High temperatures, gusts of wind and lightning are favorable for the growth of fires. On Wednesday, the Clear Water team joined the smoke bombers working on this fire. They are an Alaska-based contract team hailing from Mountain Village, St. Mary's, Pilot Station and Marshall. Firefighters protect cabins, native housing estates and other endangered values. Aviation assets also provide ongoing support to this operation, located approximately 19 miles southwest of Shungnak.

Naluk (#209) – A thunderstorm passed through the fire area last night, increasing the activity and size of the fire. The fire is estimated at 2,853 acres, with growth potential still high. Fuels are very dry and susceptible to ignition. High temperatures, strong winds and even more lightning could exacerbate fire activity. Firefighters continue to work on timely protection of important assets at risk, such as structures and the Potato Farm airstrip. They work on clearing around culturally significant structures and installing pumps and pipes. A helicopter module is based at Kiana to support firefighting operations. This fire is located approximately 20 miles north of Selawik in the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge.

McDonald (#119) – The McDonald Fire is burning east of Fairbanks along the Tanana River. Fire behavior was fairly active Wednesday. Crews continue to secure the fire edge and complete indirect line construction on the south side of the fire to reduce the threat to structures. A module and engine are patrolling Richardson Highway and adjacent communities. The fire is estimated at over 107,390 acres and 83 personnel are on scene. Additional details can be found in the daily update.

Globe (#253) – Firefighting resources, including six smoke bombs and aerial water shovels, were deployed to ensure the protection of the points on Wednesday evening. Nine other smoke bombs were sent by land. The size of the fire is estimated at more than 1,500 acres with 19 personnel on scene. Big Bear and Lassen Hotshots will arrive at the fire by the end of the day today. Fire behavior is active and road closures and evacuations are in effect. More information will be released as the situation evolves.

The Great Idaho Basin Type 3 Incident Management Team was dispatched from the Lower 48 region to manage five lightning-ignited fires in the Upper Yukon area:

Deception Puppy (#252) – Observed fire behavior was moderate, with creeping and smoldering movements. Crews have completed cutting and laying hoses around the perimeter of the fire. Water pumps were installed to the front and rear of the fire to prepare for water application. The fire is located west of Central, Alaska, adjacent to Crooked Creek. The fire was estimated at 150 acres with 23 people.

Bottle (#259) – Despite the hot, dry and windy conditions, the fire showed little growth. Fire behavior observed was creeping with 2-foot flames in the tundra and burning hot and deep in the spruce understory. Smokejumpers worked to establish a fire line, with the assistance of aerial water-dropping resources. Six additional smoke bombs, two single-engine water scoops, an air attack and two Alaska Fire Department helicopters responded. Smokejumpers will continue to work on containment. The fire is located south of Circle, Alaska, west of the Yukon River. The fire was estimated at 7 acres with 14 personnel on scene.

American (#262) – The fire had an active perimeter of 20% and was smoldering, creeping and retreating. The fire was burning in black spruce and white spruce. The wind was from the east and the cloud cover was 0%. The fire is located in the White Mountains. The fire is estimated at 450 acres and is being monitored.

Crazy (#153) – The fire is estimated at 329 acres and is being monitored. The fire is located in the West Crazy Mountains, north of the White Mountains.

Ikheejik (#184) – The fire is estimated at 35 acres and is being monitored. It is located southeast of Circle, Alaska, east of Birch Creek.

-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; oversight of 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: Alaska Fire Information, BLM Alaska Fire Department

Tags: American Fire, Crazy Fire, Deception Pup, Deep Fire, East Twin Fire, Flasco Fire, Globe Fire, Ikheejik Fire, Little Black Fire, McDonald Fire, Naluk Fire