While there has been some relief from the record temperatures recorded earlier in June, the weather has remained very warm and dry across much of Alaska. With the continued dry spell comes a steadily increasing fire danger. As of June 24th, there were 84 wildfires burning. The causes of ignition vary, with fires ignited by lightning strikes making a significant impact for the first time this summer.
Most of the current fires are not near population areas, including two new fires north of Kantishna in Denali National Park. Many of those fires are being monitored, but not actively fought until there is a potential risk to a populated area. The largest current fires are in Lime Hills and Moose Creek, both of which are in the interior of southwestern Alaska. These two fires account for the majority of the 390,000 plus acres that have burned, so far. The Lime Hills fire has burned over 150,000 acres, and is currently the most heavily staffed fire, as it is near a village of just under thirty people.
With the increasing fire danger, Alaska has called on the Lower 48 for reinforcements. Five groups of firefighters from Oregon recently arrived in Fairbanks in order to assist in the event of a major outbreak of fires. Much of interior Alaska is forecasted for more warm weather with some chance of thunderstorms, which could set off a new round of wildfires.
As of the morning of June 24th, one fire was listed in the northern Susitna Valley, near Caswell Lakes road. It had burned less than one-quarter acre.
