BLM Fire Managers Tackle Over 30 Active Fires in Alaska
With more than 30 active fires burning across an area the size of Montana, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alaska Fire Service (AFS) Galena Zone fire managers have effectively prioritized their limited resources to safeguard critical sites where the risk is highest and the chances of successful intervention are greatest.
Recent slightly cooler weather has helped to moderate fire behavior across the zone, allowing smokejumpers to secure fire edges on smaller incidents and initiate structure protection at high-priority locations.
Firefighters are receiving additional support from multi-engine water scoopers and helicopters when necessary. Fortunately, none of the fires currently pose an immediate threat to local communities.
At the forefront of firefighting efforts is the Roundabout Complex outside Huslia, now consisting of five merged fires, including:
- Moldy Fire (#279): The largest in the complex, estimated at over 8,000 acres, located nearly 13 miles southwest of Huslia after merging with Louie Fire (#277).
- Richards Fire (#251): Approximately 150 acres, located 10 miles west of Huslia, is considered contained.
- Billy Hawk Fire (#182): Alongside Billy Hawk 2 Fire (#191) over 25 miles northwest of Huslia, both have been contained, with resources redirected to higher priority incidents.
- Caribou Fire (#128): Estimated at 1,123 acres and burning about 36 miles northeast of Huslia, where four smokejumpers are assessing structures near a mine site.
Additional noteworthy incidents include:
- Tagoomenik (#283): Contained successfully by twelve smokejumpers about 5 miles from Shaktoolik.
- Nakochelik (#306): An 8-smokejumper response maintained a wildfire at 143 acres, 12 miles south of Ambler.
The BLM AFS is committed to protecting Alaska’s lands and communities amidst challenging conditions.
Contact: Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Service, P.O. Box 35005, 1541 Gaffney Road, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
Source
Photo credit akfireinfo.com
