BLM Alaska Fire Service Update – Alaska Wildfire Information

As of Tuesday at 5 p.m., there were 172 active wildfires across the state, with 18 new fires starting in the past 24 hours. So far, 315 Fires have burned 461,652 acres across Alaska. Brief updates are provided for today's fires in the BLM's Alaska Fire Protection Area.

Deep (#213) – Crews are making progress installing sprinkler systems and preparing structures. On Monday, the fire moved north toward Lake Minchumina. The fire is now in an area that previously burned in 2015, which is helping to slow its progress. The fire is located approximately 6 miles southwest of the community of Lake Minchumina and is estimated at 13,769 acres, with 45 personnel on site.

Belvedere (#300) – The Grangeville helicopter crew continued to grid and extinguish the fire Tuesday. Gridding involves a crew searching for hot spots in the area by systematically moving along parallel grid lines or paths. As of the end of the day Monday, the fire was 20 percent contained. The fire is located about 16 miles southwest of Bettles and is estimated at 9 acres, with eight personnel on scene.

Fickett (#301) – Parachute firefighters continued mop-up operations Tuesday. The fire was 40 percent contained as of late Monday. Firefighters will continue mop-up operations in anticipation of a weather event that will bring increased winds and potential rain to the fire area. The fire is located approximately 15 miles southwest of Bettles and is estimated at 23 acres, with eight personnel on scene.

Fork (#316) – An Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection vehicle is patrolling the area to protect military infrastructure and the utility corridor. A plan is in place to clear vegetation around power lines. The fire is located approximately 25 miles northeast of Salcha, Alaska, and is estimated to be 1,000 acres in size.

Naluk (#209) – The fire grew rapidly Tuesday, due to warm, dry weather. Wednesday saw cooler temperatures and humidity affecting the fire. Firefighters will continue to work to protect nearby structures and gardens as conditions allow. The fire is located approximately 20 miles north of Selawik, in the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge, and is estimated at 14,000 acres with 24 personnel on site.

Principal (#240)– The fire is approximately 8,000 acres, with a smoke column visible from Ruby. While the northwest edge of the fire remains active, terrain and riparian areas are slowing the fire’s growth to the east. The Clear Water crew, a local Alaska Type 2 firefighting crew comprised of firefighters from St. Mary’s, Pilot Station, Marshall and Pitka’s Point, and two BLM AFS firefighters arrived in Ruby Tuesday to begin assessments. Two additional crews are expected to arrive later this week. The fire is located 11 miles southwest of Ruby and is estimated at 9,250 acres.

Falcon (#334)– The fire was fueled by moisture from Tuesday’s thunderstorms. Parachute firefighters have completed prepping structures and are in the process of being demobilized. The fire is located approximately 90 miles southeast of Selawik and is estimated at 50 acres with four personnel on scene.

Roundabout (#337)– On Monday, eight paratroopers were deployed and water-bombing aircraft assisted firefighters in their efforts to establish a containment line for the fire. The fire is burning in tundra, brush and black spruce. Paratroopers will continue to work to control the fire today. The fire is located approximately 130 miles southeast of Selawik in the Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge and is estimated at 30 acres with eight personnel on scene.

The Hat Lie (#330)– Ten parachute firefighters have completed hoseline installation around the perimeter of the fire and have begun securing the edge of the fire. This fire is located in an area considered fully protected, which protects moderately populated areas, cultural and paleontological sites, developed recreational facilities, physical features, administrative sites and cabins, structures, high-value natural resources, and other high-value areas. The fire is located approximately 7 miles northeast of Birch Creek, Alaska, and 19 miles southwest of Fort Yukon, and is estimated to be 2 acres with 10 personnel on scene.

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-BLM-

Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Service, 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 Interior and Alaska Native lands in Alaska. In addition, AFS has other statewide responsibilities including: interpreting fire management policy; overseeing the BLM Alaska Aviation program; fuels management projects; and operating and maintaining advanced communications and computer 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, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Army Alaska.

Categories: Active Wildfires, BLM Alaska Fire Service

Keywords: Deep Fire, Fickett Fire, Fork Fire, Hat Lie Fire, Hawk Fire, Lookout Fire, Main Fire, Naluk Fire, Roundabout Fire