Wildfires
RSSWildfires in Alaska are fires that burn forest, tundra and brushland across the state. They prompt evacuation orders, smokejumper and hand-crew deployments, burn permits and fire-weather alerts, and they threaten villages, Native allotments and rural infrastructure.
Alaska DFFP battles 4 wildfires across Interior, Southcentral, Southwest
Twin Bear Fire near Fairbanks drew 23 firefighters and helitack crews to a lightning-caused blaze in black spruce with cabins nearby. • Joaquin Fire southwest of McGrath and Vanderpool Fire east of McGrath prompted aerial response due to native allotment and private property. • Matanuska Fire on Glenn Highway was contained within two hours at under half an acre. • Red Flag Warning through Sunday evening cited 30 percent humidity and 40 mph wind gusts near thunderstorms across Central Interior.
by Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Heat and fire risk converge across Interior Alaska for solstice weekend
Interior Alaska's longest weekend brings heat its houses can't handle and lightning that could light the woods. Hydrate, and go check on grandma.
by Maggie AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
Five wildfires under investigation overnight in southcentral Alaska
Five wildfires broke out overnight in southcentral Alaska's Susitna basin as a Red Flag Warning takes effect Saturday, with burn permits suspended statewide.
by Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago1 min read
Rain gives Canyon Fire crews window to protect Native allotments
The Canyon Fire near Rampart is at 409 acres. Crews are protecting a cabin 3 miles out — that's a hedge against the fire making a run.
by Maggie AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Red Flag Warnings blanket Mat-Su and Susitna Valley for solstice weekend
National Weather Service issued Red Flag Warnings for Mat-Su and Susitna Valley through early Saturday due to lightning risk, dry fuels, and humidity as low as 25 percent. Burn permits are suspended across Delta, Tok, and Mat-Su areas.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min read
An escaped campfire grew to 89 acres near Sterling — cutting power and closing a road
An unextinguished campfire near Sterling grew to 89 acres, cut power, and closed Swanson River Road. Put out your campfires.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
The Grandview Fire has closed Swanson River Road and burned 30 acres near Sterling
The Grandview Fire is at 30 acres near Sterling. Swanson River Road is closed, the canoe route is offline, no evacuations yet.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Smokejumpers and the Chena Hotshots are protecting Native allotments from the Canyon Fire
Alaska's natural fire policy gets interrupted when a Native allotment is in the way. Canyon Fire is what that looks like.
by Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Second Fire in Two Weeks Ignites Near Ambler on Kobuk River
A second wildfire ignited Sunday near Ambler on the Kobuk River, less than two weeks after a landfill fire burned 1,447 acres in the same area.
by Maggie AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Smokejumpers attack 75-acre lightning fire northeast of Fairbanks
Smokejumpers attacked a 75-acre lightning fire in tundra and black spruce 66 miles northeast of Fairbanks on Saturday morning.
by Maggie AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
Smokejumpers deploy to Star Fire near Eagle on Taylor Highway
Smokejumpers deployed to the Star Fire burning 5 to 8 acres near milepost 149 on the Taylor Highway south of Eagle, with 12 jumpers constructing fireline Thursday evening.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago1 min read
Smokejumpers stop half-acre fire across Yukon River from Circle
Six smokejumpers stopped a half-acre wildfire burning across the Yukon River from Circle on June 12, using hose lines and coordinating water drops to protect the nearby community.
by Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago1 min read
Ambler landfill fire burns Native allotment, raises toxic smoke fears
A landfill fire that started June 4 in Ambler has burned nearly 1,500 acres including a Native allotment, with smoke from burning trash posing health risks to elders, children, and people with heart or lung conditions.
by Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Delta Junction faces back-to-back Red Flag days with 55 mph gusts
Delta Junction faces Red Flag Warnings Saturday and Sunday with 55 mph gusts, 20 percent humidity, and dry grass ready to burn. Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection urges residents to skip burning this weekend.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago1 min read
Alaska logs 13 new wildfire investigations in 72 hours
Alaska fire agencies opened 13 wildfire investigations in three days as a Red Flag Warning and burn permit suspensions took effect across Interior Alaska due to strong winds, low humidity, and dry fuels.
by Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Tok suspends burn permits ahead of Chickenstock festival
Trying to enjoy chickenstock, and yes, that is a real thing, well, you better pre-burn your barrels. Cause that is no longer A-OK at this wholesome event.
by Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Where Alaska's fire morels may pop next
Oh, Mushroom hunters / Information they kept close / Now for all to know
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Yenlo Fire crews defend cabin, equipment as 53-acre blaze nears Skwentna
Firefighters defended a cabin and equipment as the 53-acre Yenlo Fire near Skwentna reached 90 percent containment Wednesday, with crews demobilizing by Friday.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Smokejumpers, hotshots battle 52-acre Yenlo Fire near Talkeetna
A 52-acre wildfire north of Skwentna grew overnight from 10 acres, drawing smokejumpers and hotshot crews to protect remote cabins in the upper Susitna Valley while aerial tankers slow the human-caused fire.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min read
A wildfire that started in a village landfill has burned to within a mile of Ambler — and warmer weather is coming
Crews have reached 40 percent containment on the 1,447 acre Kopshesut Fire near Ambler. • Warming weather this week could push toxic landfill smoke into the village. • Residents should monitor air quality for health risks. • Check the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation website for updates.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min read
Human ignitions cause 95 percent of Alaska's early fires
Human carelessness sparked 118 of Alaska's 124 early-season wildfires so far, a 95 percent rate that's stretching fire season into months when lightning fires rarely occur.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min read
Mastadon Fire reaches full containment after drone-guided mop-up
The Mastadon Fire southeast of Talkeetna reached full containment Friday after a drone spotted the last patch of heat, letting ground crews finish the job same-day instead of waiting for the next morning's aircraft pass.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Ambler wildfire reaches 1,500 acres as fire activity slows
The Kopshesut Fire near Ambler has burned nearly 1,500 acres and slowed to creeping and smoldering as 68 firefighters and aircraft apply water and hold the line within a mile of the village.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago1 min read
Firefighters hold flare-up on Kopshesut Fire near Ambler
Firefighters held back a flare-up on the Kopshesut Fire near Ambler on Saturday, keeping it to about 1,500 acres and 20% contained as 68 personnel work to stop the spread toward the village.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Red Flag Warnings hit Southwest Alaska three days running
Red Flag Warnings covered Southwest Alaska on June 3 and 4 as hot, dry conditions and 20 mph winds created rapid fire spread risk in remote communities from the Kuskokwim Valley to Bristol Bay.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago1 min read
Fire burns within mile of Ambler as crews race to protect village
The Kopshesut Fire burned within a mile of Ambler on Friday, with 24 smokejumpers and incoming crews working to protect the village of 274 residents before winds push the 500-acre blaze closer.
by Maggie AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Alaska suspends burn permits statewide as heat drives fire risk
Alaska suspended burn permits statewide June 1-5 across Mat-Su, Kenai-Kodiak, Tok, Delta, Fairbanks, Salcha, and Railbelt due to early heat and dry conditions, after recent escaped debris fires and burn barrels sparked multiple wildfires.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min read
Talkeetna wildfire contained after overnight crew work
An 18-acre wildfire southeast of Talkeetna was fully contained Friday after crews worked overnight with helicopters and retardant tankers. No structures were threatened.
by Alaska News4mo ago1 min read
Red Flag Warning covers inland Bristol Bay through Thursday
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for inland Bristol Bay through Thursday evening as warm temperatures, low humidity, strong winds, and dry grass created conditions for fast-moving wildfires.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
Miller's Reach fire lessons shape Alaska wildfire response 30 years on
Alaska's 1996 Miller's Reach Fire destroyed 344 homes in Big Lake and killed 37,000 acres, forcing the state to overhaul wildfire response, evacuation coordination, and community preparedness — lessons that still guide how Alaska fights fire today.
by Alaska News4mo ago2 min read
Alaska fire agencies open 11 wildfire investigations statewide
Alaska fire agencies opened 11 wildfire investigations across the state between June 2 and 4 as the National Weather Service issued Red Flag Warnings for critical fire conditions.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago1 min read
Alaska fire agencies open nine wildfire investigations in four days
Alaska fire agencies opened nine wildfire investigations across four regions in three days as Red Flag Warnings and dry conditions raised fire danger statewide.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago1 min read
Alaska fire agencies open 10 wildfire investigations as Red Flag Warnings signal critical conditions
Alaska fire agencies opened investigations into at least 10 wildfires across the state between June 2 and June 5 as the National Weather Service issued Red Flag Warnings for critical fire conditions in multiple regions.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago1 min read
Alaska suspends burn permits in Mat-Su, Kenai, Tok, Delta
Alaska suspended burn permits in Mat-Su, Kenai, Tok, and Delta from June 1-4 due to hot, dry, windy conditions that sparked multiple fires from escaped debris burns and unattended campfires.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago1 min read
Alaska fire agencies open 11 wildfire investigations in four days
Alaska fire agencies opened investigations at 11 wildfire locations between June 1 and June 4, spanning the Kenai Peninsula to Interior and Western Alaska, as the National Weather Service issued Red Flag warnings for critical fire weather conditions.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Red Flag Warning covers Southwest Alaska through Wednesday
Red Flag Warning covers Southwest Alaska through Wednesday evening due to warm, dry, windy conditions that could spread fires rapidly. Residents must avoid open burning and spark-producing work like chainsaws and lawnmowers.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Mat-Su, Kenai burn permits suspended as fire activity surges
Alaska Division of Forestry suspended burn permits across Mat-Su and Kenai-Kodiak starting Monday, June 1, after a surge in human-caused fires sparked by escaped debris burns and unattended campfires during hot, dry, windy conditions.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago2 min read
Delta Fire Prevention Area burn permits suspended for third time since late April
State say, no fire near Delta.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
Alaska, Forest Service sign 20-year shared stewardship timber deal
Alaska and Forest Service signed a 20-year timber deal to jointly manage federal lands and boost restoration work. • State aims to harvest young growth forests in Southeast Alaska for 400 to 500 million board feet annually. • Current harvest is only 100 to 120 million board feet per year, down from nearly a billion three decades ago.
by Bill AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read
Alaska raises wildfire alert as dry grass fuels 63 early-season fires
Alaska raised wildfire alert to Level 2 as 63 early-season fires burn 368 acres in dry grass. • Most fires are human-caused in Interior Alaska where snow melted but plants haven't greened. • Smokeyjumpers deployed to Sawmill Creek Fire near Delta Junction after campfire start. • Agency urges caution and debris clearing as fire season starts earlier due to climate change.
by Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read