Two Ruby-area fires reach 1,260 acres; elite crews work flanks

Two lightning-caused wildfires burning about 11 miles east of Ruby have grown to a combined 1,260 acres, drawing elite crews from Alaska and Montana as firefighters use a rain window to push containment lines up both flanks.

The Fires

The Cecil Fire stands at 1,000 acres. The Big Fire covers 260 acres. The two fires are separated by less than a mile near Big Creek, five miles south of Ninemile Slough, in a Full protection area where aggressive suppression is the mandate.

Both fires have been burning away from Ruby and nearby Native allotments, but smoke remains visible from the Yukon River community.

Consistent rainfall that began Saturday night moderated fire behavior and slowed growth. "The area where both fires are burning began receiving consistent rainfall Saturday night, which moderated fire behavior and slowed fire growth, giving firefighters an opportunity to establish anchor points and work up the flanks," an Alaska Wildland Fire Information incident update said. The fires did not see much growth on Saturday, thanks to both firefighting efforts and the consistent rainfall.

Crews and Aircraft

The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection's Pioneer Peak Hotshots and the Woodhawk Wildland Fire Module from Montana are assigned to the Cecil Fire alongside a dozen smokejumpers. The DFFP's Gannett Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew joined nearly two dozen smokejumpers and multiple water-scooping aircraft on the Big Fire. Water-scooping aircraft will continue supporting ground crews Sunday as weather permits. Work to secure the fire edge will also continue Sunday, depending on weather conditions.

The fires were first reported Friday. An earlier Alaska Wildland Fire Information update on June 26 noted the two starts were less than a mile apart and about 11 miles east of Ruby. By Saturday, the Cecil Fire had reached 1,000 acres and the Big Fire 260 acres, with additional crews ordered in.

What Is at Stake

Native allotment holders near Big Creek are among the values the full-protection designation is meant to defend. Officials report that both fires are currently burning away from those lands and from the community of Ruby, though smoke remains visible from town. Suppression work along the flanks is ongoing to maintain that status.

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect over both fires. General aviation pilots must check for TFRs before flying in the area. Drones are prohibited; a civilian drone near an active fire grounds all firefighting aircraft immediately.

Public Information Officer Geoff Liesik is the contact for fire information at [email protected] or (907) 356-5510. Updated information is available at akfireinfo.com.