On Wednesday, 5 p.m., there were 169 active wildfires across the state, with 8 new fires in the last 24 hours. So far 320 Fires have burned 484,845 acres of land across Alaska. Brief updates are provided on fires being fought by personnel on Wednesday across the BLM Alaska Fire Service refuge.

Deep (#213) – Crews improved the existing secondary fire line on Wednesday. A helicopter crew arrived and is monitoring fire activity. The fire has moved north into an area that burned in 2015, which will slow the spread of the Deep Fire. Although there is some spread toward Lake Minchumina, current weather and fuel conditions make major spread in that direction unlikely. The fire is located 6 miles southwest of the community of Lake Minchumina. It is estimated at 13,769 acres and 52 personnel are on the scene.

Lookout (#300)– Firefighters found no residual heat after an extensive search of the area. With the weather cloudy, cool and rainy, firefighters continue to monitor the area as rain continues. The fire is located about 16 miles southwest of Bettles and is estimated at 9 acres. Eight firefighters are on duty.

Fickett (#301)  – In cooler and cloudy weather, parachutists removed as much heat as they could in the north of the fire area. There was no fire spread and by the end of the shift Wednesday, the fire was 40% contained. The fire is located about 15 miles southwest of Bettles and is estimated at 26 acres. Eight people are on the scene.

Fork (#316) – An Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection response crew monitored the fire to protect military infrastructure and the supply corridor. The area received some precipitation overnight and humidity remains high. The fire is located approximately 25 miles northeast of Salcha and is estimated at 260 acres after more detailed mapping, with 3 personnel deployed.

Naluk (#209) – The fire received 2 inches of rain overnight, and more rain continued in the area throughout the day. Ahead of the rain, crews were able to secure fire breaks around nearby buildings and allotments. Fire jumpers are scheduled to be withdrawn as soon as weather permits. The fire is about 20 miles north of Selawik in the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge and is estimated at 15,330 acres. 24 people are on the scene.

Main (#240) – The Clear Water Crew, a local Alaska Type 2 hand crew, arrived in Ruby on Tuesday to begin structural assessment. The Laguna Crew and Slide Type 2 hand crew will arrive in Ruby on Thursday. The northwest edge of the fire is still active, but terrain and riparian areas are slowing the fire's spread to the east. The fire is located 11 miles southwest of Ruby and is estimated at 19,952 acres. 26 people are on the scene.

Falcon (#334)– The fire continued to be moistened by storms Wednesday as weather slowed fire behavior and smoke levels decreased. Parachutists completed preparation of structures Tuesday and were withdrawn Wednesday. The fire is about 90 miles southeast of Selawik and is estimated at 44 acres. Four people are on the scene.

Roundabout (#337)– On Wednesday, parachutists worked to contain the fire and clear the interior. By late Tuesday, the fire showed little smoke and decreased activity after heavy rainfall. The fire is located about 130 miles southeast of Selawik in the Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge and is estimated at 30 acres. The eight parachutists assigned to the fire were withdrawn Wednesday afternoon.

Hat Lie (#330)– Ten paratroopers continued cleanup inside and are expected to be ready to depart Thursday. The fire is about 7 miles northeast of Birch Creek and 19 miles southwest of Fort Yukon. The area is estimated at 2 acres, and 10 personnel are deployed.

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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), headquartered in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, provides wildland firefighting services for over 240 million acres of Department of the Interior and Native Corporation lands in Alaska. In addition, AFS has other statewide responsibilities including: interpretation of fire protection policy; oversight of the BLM Alaska Aviation program; fuel management projects; and operation and maintenance of 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 the U.S. Military in Alaska.

Categories: Active Wildfires, BLM Alaska Fire Service

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