Growing Globe Fire Leads to Extended Road Closures and Evacuations Along Elliott Highway – Alaska Wildfire Information

10:00 p.m. June 27, Update: Erratic winds and hot, dry weather caused the Globe Fire to grow rapidly Thursday as firefighters focus on protecting people and property along the highway Elliott about 50 miles north of Fairbanks. The flames, which crossed the black spruce, reached the highway, directly threatening native gardens, homes and campgrounds, and crossed the road at kilometer 39 near the Globe Creek campground on Thursday .

A large column of smoke collapsed around noon Thursday, blanketing the area with hot air, smoke and ash. Smokejumpers initially withdrew for safety reasons, but eventually re-engaged to protect people and property.

The fire would have ravaged 2,200 hectares according to satellite images. The thick smoke made ground or air surveillance impossible and flying aircraft to support firefighting efforts proved too dangerous.

Some firefighters installed sprinkler systems to protect the campground, while others monitored residents who remained to defend their homes. As of 8:30 p.m., no structures had been reported lost.

Two Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection vehicles are patrolling the area and assisting with structure protection.

Experienced crews from the Lassen Hotshots and Big Bear Hotshots, originally from Northern California, arrived Thursday night. Fire officials have ordered additional firefighters and equipment.

5:00 p.m. June 27: A road closure is in place for mileposts 28 to 48, and a GO evacuation order is issued for residents within mileposts 39 to 48. Updated 11:29 a.m. June 27 June: The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities issued a road closure of the Elliott Highway between mileposts 28 to 48 due to increased wildfire activity. The Globe Fire grew significantly and reached the highway. Further information will be released as it becomes available. Check for updates on road closures.

11:30 a.m.: The GO evacuation order has been extended to mile markers 39-48 Thursday morning due to increased fire activity on the Globe Fire as it approaches the Elliott Highway. The fire was estimated to be less than a half-mile from the highway and was burning through continuous black spruce trees.

The fire was reported Wednesday evening about a mile from the nearest structure. Residents in the area, as well as work camps of the Ministry of Transportation and Public Facilities, were asked to evacuate on Wednesday due to the advancing flames. The evacuation is now extended.

Here are some things to consider when evacuating to a safe location:

• People
• Pets
• Orders
• Personal computer
• Paperwork
• Pictures
• Phone and charging cord.

As of Wednesday evening, the fire had grown to more than 1,300 acres and was continuing to grow.

The fire, which is burning parallel to the road near milepost 42, could potentially reach the highway between mileposts 37 and 52 by Thursday. Alaska State Police were dispatched Wednesday evening to assist with traffic control and warn residents of the evacuation zone. Traffic delays are expected on this section of the road due to fire activity.

The Globe Fire was initially reported Tuesday as a one-acre fire with no open flames and minimal smoke, located in a limited management option area and was placed on watch status. However, by Wednesday evening, the threat had grown significantly, threatening several Indigenous homes and subdivisions along the highway. Smokejumpers and aircraft have been deployed to protect these areas and will continue those efforts Thursday. They are facing challenges as shifting winds push the fire toward the highway. Thunderstorms in the area have created erratic wind conditions and are expected to continue Thursday with gusty easterly winds.

For more information, contact Beth Ipsen, BLM AFS Public Affairs Specialist, at (97) 356-5510 or [email protected].

Corrected to reflect that evacuation is a GO for mileposts 39-48.

-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 Department

Keywords: Fire Globe