BLM Alaska Fire Service Update – Alaska Wildfire Information

As of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, there were 169 active wildfires across the state, with 8 new outbreaks in the last 24 hours. So far, 320 Fires have burned 484,845 acres across Alaska. Brief updates are provided for Wednesday's fires in the BLM Alaska Fire Service's protected area.

Deep (#213) – Crews upgraded the existing secondary containment line Wednesday. A helicopter crew arrived and is monitoring fire activity. The fire has moved north into an area that previously burned in 2015, which will slow the progress of the Deep Fire. While there is some movement toward Lake Minchumina, current weather and fuel conditions make major growth in that direction unlikely. The fire is located 6 miles southwest of the community of Lake Minchumina. It is estimated at 13,769 acres with 52 people affected.

Belvedere (#300)– Firefighters found no residual heat after an extensive search of the area. With cloudy, cooler and rainy weather, firefighters continue to monitor the area as precipitation continues. The fire is located approximately 16 miles southwest of Bettles and is estimated at 9 acres with eight people affected.

Fickett (#301)  – With cooler, overcast weather, parachute firefighters finished mopping up and knocking down as much heat as possible in the northern part of the fire zone. The fire did not progress and the fire was 40 percent contained as of the end of the day Wednesday. The fire is located about 15 miles southwest of Bettles and is estimated at 26 acres, with eight people affected.

Fork (#316) – A fire crew from the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection monitored the fire to protect military infrastructure and the utility corridor. The area received rainfall overnight and humidity remains high. The fire is located approximately 25 miles northeast of Salcha and, with more precise mapping, is estimated at 260 acres, with 3 people affected.

Naluk (#209) – The fire received 2 inches of rain overnight and more rain fell throughout the area throughout the day. Prior to the rain, crews were able to secure fire lines around nearby structures and gardens. Paratroopers are expected to be deployed when weather permits. The fire is located approximately 20 miles north of Selawik in the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge and is estimated to be 15,000 acres with 24 personnel affected.

Principal (#240) – The Clear Water Team, a local Alaska Type 2 crew, arrived in Ruby Tuesday to begin structural assessments. The Laguna Team and Slide Type 2 Team will arrive in Ruby Thursday. The northwest edge of the fire remains active, but terrain and riparian areas are slowing the fire’s growth to the east. The fire is located 11 miles southwest of Ruby and is estimated at 19,952 acres with 26 personnel affected.

Falcon (#334)– The fire continued to receive moisture from storms Wednesday as weather conditions decreased fire behavior and reduced smoke. Paratroopers completed prepping structures Tuesday and demobilized Wednesday. The fire is approximately 90 miles southeast of Selawik and is estimated at 44 acres with four people affected.

Roundabout (#337)– Parachute firefighters worked to secure containment and mop up the interior of the fire on Wednesday. As of late Tuesday, the fire had little smoke and reduced activity after receiving heavy rainfall. The fire is located about 130 miles southeast of Selawik in the Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge and is estimated to be 30 acres. All eight parachute firefighters assigned to the fire were demobilized Wednesday afternoon.

The Hat Lie (#330)– Ten parachute firefighters continued mopping up efforts inside and are expected to be demobilized Thursday. The fire is located about 7 miles northeast of Birch Creek and 19 miles southwest of Fort Yukon. It is estimated to be 2 acres in size and has 10 personnel assigned to it.

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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