Big Fire near Ruby reaches 85% containment; crews out by Saturday

Firefighters Wrapping Up East of Ruby, Final Clearance Expected by Weekend

The remaining 32 personnel on the Type 3 team and crews working the Big Fire east of Ruby will finish a final grid search for heat and begin demobilization, with all personnel expected to clear Ruby by Saturday, July 11, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service said. Equipment and personnel are moving back to Ruby temporarily before returning to U.S. Wildland Fire Service facilities elsewhere.

The 257-acre fire is 85% contained. An uncrewed aerial system (drone) survey Tuesday found only one remaining hot spot, located 750 feet inside the perimeter. That single heat source, and incoming Bering Sea weather that could push gusty, unpredictable winds over the fire area Wednesday, are the last variables before the team stands down.

The Cecil Fire, the larger of the two lightning-caused fires detected June 26 about 11 miles east of Ruby and roughly half a mile apart, was fully contained several days ago at 723 acres. Neither fire is threatening the community of Ruby or nearby Native allotments.

Weather and the Final Hot Spot

Forecasts call for scattered showers and thunderstorms Wednesday, with storm chances decreasing Thursday. Friday is expected to be the warmest and driest day of the week. Daytime humidity will hold in the 40 to 50 percent range, with strong overnight recovery into the 80 to 90 percent range.

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service said this will be its last update on the incident unless conditions significantly change. Ruby residents who have had equipment and personnel staged in the village since late June should expect the site to be clear by the weekend.

The Big Fire and Cecil Fire were part of a broader mid-summer ignition surge across Alaska's Interior, where prolific lightning storms produced more than 24,600 strikes in ten days, according to Alaska wildfire tracking data.

Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen is the contact for further information at [email protected] or (907) 356-5510.