Five wildfire investigations span Interior to western Alaska

Five wildfires opened under investigation across roughly 800 miles of Alaska between Tuesday evening and Wednesday, from the Yukon-Kuskokwim drainage near McGrath to the Richardson Highway corridor near Delta Junction, according to Alaska 511 records.

The five incidents, Old, Mueller, Old Richardson, Pipeline, and Standard Creek, are preliminary inventory records, not confirmed growing fires. All five were recorded at 0.00 acres. Two sit close together near Delta Junction, one along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline right-of-way and one near mile 268 of the Richardson Highway, placing that corridor near a highway used by motorists and freight operators.

The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection suspended burn permits Wednesday in both East and West zones of the Delta Fire Prevention Area, citing "a combination of low relative humidity, gusty winds and dry fuels." Smoke from Interior fires the day before had already reached communities near Salcha and Healy.

A fuels and fire behavior advisory was issued for Alaska's southwest and central Interior regions because of prolonged hot, dry, and windy conditions. Recent lightning over a 72-hour period raised the potential for new significant wildfire starts, though initial attack resources have kept most new ignitions small. Current fire information is available at akfireinfo.com. Richardson Highway travelers can check road and fire conditions at 511.alaska.gov.