Siruk Fire reaches 50% containment near Allakaket allotments

Siruk Fire

The Siruk Fire reached 50% containment Saturday, according to a July 4 incident update from the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, up from 30% as of the July 3 update. Two Native allotments remain near the perimeter, and fire managers say outflow winds from passing thunderstorms are the primary threat to the control lines.

The fire has burned 550 acres of tundra tussocks and scattered spruce about 23 miles northwest of Allakaket on the Alatna River. Two dozen smokejumpers have been working control lines on the north and east sides of the fire since July 1, supported by water-scooping planes during initial attack. One Native allotment sits roughly a mile north of the fire. Another sits about 4 miles northeast. Neither is currently threatened.

"The primary concern is the possibility that outflow winds from passing thunderstorms could push the fire beyond the control lines," the U.S. Wildland Fire Service said in its July 3 incident update. "Helicopters will be able to call in water drops from helicopters if needed" if ground crews need additional support.

Smokejumpers have targeted hotspots along the flanks while securing the established lines. The Alatna River has provided some natural protection for the allotments, which the July 2 incident update described as "presently protected by the river; neither is threatened by the fire at this time."

Limited Options

Allakaket is a remote Interior community in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area with no road connection to the highway system.

The Siruk Fire is the largest active fire in this cluster. Lightning sparked it on June 30, when U.S. Wildland Fire Service aircraft detected it late that evening. Smokejumpers arrived the next morning.