Smokejumpers hit new holdover fire near Allakaket as July 4 weekend nears

Six smokejumpers flew overnight Tuesday to a newly discovered holdover fire northeast of Allakaket, a 2-acre ignition smoldering in the central Interior. "It is a holdover fire smoldering in spruce and hardwoods, burning deep into the duff in places," the U.S. Wildland Fire Service said. Holdover fires are lightning-caused ignitions that smolder unnoticed in duff or ground layers for days before flaring up when temperatures warm, vegetation dries and winds increase. Crews are cutting containment line and watching for additional hot spots.

Taylor Highway Fire Quiets

Along the Taylor Highway, the Polly Fire has quieted. An infrared flight Monday showed fewer than 20 heat points, down from hundreds of heat points days earlier. Crews are setting up structure protection northwest of the perimeter. Drivers near milepost 110 are still advised to yield to firefighting traffic and not to stop on the highway in the fire area.

Kenai Peninsula Carries Highest Danger Heading Into Holiday Weekend

Overall statewide fire activity is decreasing, but fire managers say the Kenai Peninsula carries the highest fire danger in Alaska heading into the holiday weekend. Cloudy, cool and breezy conditions are expected to continue across much of Alaska through the holiday weekend, though drying is expected in the Interior. For current fire information, contact Public Information Officer Joan Kluwe at [email protected] or (907) 356-5510.