Konedsin Minnkohwin Fire burns within Kanuti refuge near Allakaket

A lightning-caused wildfire burning within Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge, 21 miles east of Allakaket and 40 miles west of the Dalton Highway, prompted a response by U.S. Wildland Fire Service smokejumpers supported by air attack and water-scooping aircraft.

The Konedsin Minnkohwin Fire was estimated at 200 acres and remained uncontained at the time of the initial response. A July 11 situation report noted helicopters were scheduled to move about 21 firefighters between Kanuti-area fires, increasing aircraft activity over the community of Allakaket.

The area falls under a Limited Management Option. As the agency stated, "If a fire approaches one of these identified values, the response shifts to point protection. This means firefighters focus efforts on protecting the specific site, not suppressing the main fire."

A cabin or fish camp can receive hose lines and sprinklers while the surrounding landscape continues to burn. The same approach was used near Canyon Fire in late June 2026, where crews protected Native allotments, cabins, and a fish camp as that fire reached 75 acres.