Holdover fire near Allakaket draws six smokejumpers as Kenai danger stays high

A holdover fire burning in spruce and duff about 11 miles northeast of Allakaket drew six smokejumpers late on June 29. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service reported the dispatch on June 30, noting that the Henshaw Fire was burning deep into the duff in places. Fire managers warn that holdover fires are lightning-caused ignitions that can smolder unnoticed in duff or ground layers for days and flare into active wildfires when temperatures warm, vegetation dries, and winds increase.

"Six smokejumpers were sent to the Henshaw Fire (#334) late last night," the agency said. "It is a holdover fire smoldering in spruce and hardwoods, burning deep into the duff in places. Firefighters are cutting a line around the fire and extinguished hot spots. They will continue to monitor the fire today for additional hot spots."

The fire, estimated at 2 acres, was likely ignited by lightning several days before crews identified it. A second fire in the same area, the Sozhekla Fire (#293), was in monitor status after smokejumpers completed a control line and cooled hot spots. At roughly 1 acre and about 10 miles northeast of Allakaket, it carried low spread potential and was expected to receive its final update unless conditions changed.

The June 30 update covered broader statewide activity across 12 fires staffed by the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, including ongoing work on the Polly, Mailbox, and Applegate fires. Firefighters continue working along the Elliott and Taylor highways in central and eastern Interior Alaska. Motorists are asked to watch for and yield to firefighting traffic and should not stop on the Taylor Highway to look at fires.

The Kenai Peninsula carried the state's highest fire danger as of June 30. Cloudy, cool, and breezy conditions were expected to continue across much of Alaska through the early July holiday weekend, with interior drying anticipated.

"While fire activity continues to decrease across the state, fire managers continue to monitor for holdover fires," the agency said.

For more information, contact Public Information Officer Joan Kluwe at [email protected] or (907) 356-5510.