High demand continues for firefighting resources – Alaska Wildland Fire Information

Alaska-based firefighters, including the Chena, Pioneer Peak and Midnight Sun hotshot teams, the Gannett Glacier Type 2 initial attack team, the North Star fire team and the White Mountain pod, are all deployed, as well as Alaska Smokejumpers and fire specialists. As weather conditions continue to be favorable for rapid fire growth, fire managers are asking for additional support from the Lower 48.

As of 4 p.m. Sunday, there were 100 active wildfires, with 19 new ones starting in the last 24 hours. Statewide, 212 fires have burned about 115,386 acres, with about 47,000 acres coming from the McDonald Fire southeast of Fairbanks.

Firefighters identified thirteen new fires in the Galena area of ​​northwest Alaska on Saturday, and one additional fire was detected in that area at 4 p.m. Sunday. Although lightning activity has diminished today, hot and dry conditions have helped revive many of the remains. A series of fires have been reported in the Shungnak area over the past 24 hours. Firefighters (water collection planes), air tankers and smoke bombs intervened on Saturday afternoon and continued their work today.

A new start south of Lake Minchumina, Deep Fire (#213), was estimated at 200 acres. Air assets and 8 smoke bombs were dispatched, slowing the progression of the fires. However, fire activity intensified Sunday afternoon as temperatures climbed. The Gannett Glacier and Grangeville Helitack crew arrived this afternoon to assist the smokejumpers. Additional Alaska-based contract crews are requested for Monday and a surge crew is on order.

Firefighters remain vigilant for persistent or dormant fires due to the lightning activity of previous days. The Alaska Interagency Coordination Center moved to planning level 3 on Saturday, due to increased initial and prolonged attack levels, as well as forecasted hot and dry weather.

Categories: Active Wildfire, BLM Alaska Fire Department

Tags: Deep fire