Beluga Fire triggers nightly FAA flight restriction near Anchorage

The FAA has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction over the Beluga Fire area, establishing a 1-nautical-mile radius around the fire from the surface to 2,000 feet. The fire is located 44 nautical miles northwest of Anchorage, and the Beluga Fire operation is in charge of the airspace restriction.

The restriction is running nightly with a window from June 25 to June 28 as of now. According to prior reporting by the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, "A DFFP helicopter responded and confirmed the 10-acre Beluga Fire (#213) was burning actively in hardwoods and spruce."

The federal provision that restricts airspace to protect firefighting aircraft operations, not a security restriction. The FAA notice states the restriction exists "to provide a safe environment for fire fighting acft ops," allowing air attack planes, helicopters, and other suppression aircraft to work without interference.

Pilots operating in the Cook Inlet corridor are directed to coordinate with Alaska Coastal Dispatch Center before entering the restricted airspace.

Information about the Beluga fire is it developing story, check back for updates.