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. Smoke from Interior fires the day before had already reached communities near Salcha and Healy, and 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."

Cause, containment status, and resource commitments remain unconfirmed at all five locations. 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 Pipeline investigation was first logged Tuesday at 23:17 UTC. The Old Richardson and Mueller investigations followed early Wednesday, and the Old fire near McGrath was recorded Wednesday evening.

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. Initial attack resources have kept most new ignitions small, but elevated fire danger persists across a broad stretch of the state. Current fire information is available at akfireinfo.com. Richardson Highway travelers can check road and fire conditions at 511.alaska.gov.