Ambler landfill fire burns Native allotment, raises toxic smoke fears

A wildfire that ignited in Ambler's village landfill on June 4 has burned nearly 1,500 acres and raised health concerns about toxic smoke from burning trash mixing with wildfire smoke.

The Kopshesut Fire burned a nearby Native allotment after winds on June 4 pushed flames southeast toward the Kobuk River rather than directly into the community. A June 13 federal incident report said the fire started on Alaska Native Corporation land one mile west of Ambler and was showing minimal smoldering behavior.

The fire is one of only two staffed fires currently burning in Alaska.

Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen warned that landfill smoke contains harmful pollutants beyond typical wildfire smoke. Wildfire smoke and smoke from burning trash both contain fine particles and other pollutants that can be harmful to people's health. These particles can irritate the eyes and lungs and are especially dangerous for Elders, young children, and people with heart or respiratory conditions. At the time of the updates, smoke from the Kopshesut Fire had not significantly drifted into Ambler.

There are 57 personnel including the Midnight Sun Hotshots and the North Star Fire Crew working toward containment. The fire reached 50 percent containment on Tuesday, June 10. Smokejumpers reported the fire doubled in size within an hour during the initial attack on June 4.

A flare-up on the west side of the fire near the Kobuk River on Saturday afternoon was limited to approximately 20 acres after firefighters and water scoopers responded.

The fire is burning through black spruce, mixed hardwoods, and tundra. Crews are extinguishing hot spots up to 300 feet inside the perimeter before the fire can be declared contained and controlled. Favorable weather has kept fire activity subdued in recent days.