Smokejumpers attack 75-acre lightning fire northeast of Fairbanks

Alaska Smokejumpers deployed Saturday morning to a lightning-caused wildfire burning an estimated 75 acres in tundra and black spruce 66 miles northeast of Fairbanks.

The Clums Fire was reported around 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service said it launched a strong initial attack on the remote blaze. The fire is burning primarily in tundra with pockets of black spruce.

The 75-acre size is an early estimate. Smokejumpers and other resources are assessing containment and growth. The location is described in broad regional terms rather than by a named community. The only direct evidence currently available is an agency incident post. There is no independent confirmation yet of impacts on communities, structures, or evacuations.

Lightning-caused fires north and northeast of Fairbanks are a recurring feature of recent fire seasons. A prior fire season saw 18,719 lightning strikes over several days ignite 58 fires across the state.

Current impacts are limited to localized smoke and suppression activity in the remote area. The June 13 update made no mention of threatened communities.