As Interior Alaska swelters through another record-breaking heatwave, firefighters are shifting resources to tackle the growing Sinnott Fire near Eagle. The blaze, now spanning 800 acres, is burning in steep terrain just 2 miles from the nearest cabin.
To combat the fire, the BLM Alaska Fire Service is mobilizing crews and aircraft to Eagle. The Yukon Crew and Denali Wildland Fire Module will join forces to protect properties and the town from the encroaching flames.
Meanwhile, a Division of Forestry & Fire Protection helicopter has successfully contained the Dome Fire west of mile 117 Taylor Highway to just 2 acres using targeted water drops.
With temperatures reaching a scorching 90 degrees in Eagle and a record-high 91 degrees in nearby Angel Creek, firefighters are preparing for potentially even more daunting challenges as the extreme heat exacerbates wildfire conditions. However, a cold front moving from the Bering Sea on Wednesday may bring much-needed thunderstorms and rain to the region.
Elsewhere, smokejumpers have demobilized from two fires outside Venetie, returning to Fairbanks to await their next deployment. The Mooseheart Crew will take over the T’eedriinjik Fire, while the Clearwater Crew will assist in mopping up the Marten Fire.
Firefighters have contained the Martin Fire southeast of Venetie, the Main Fire near Ruby, and the McDonald Fire south of Fairbanks are now under monitoring status.
Other fires, including the Deep Fire near Lake Minchumina and the American Fire southeast of Beaver, continue to burn actively. Drone operations are ongoing to monitor hotspots in the Grapefruit Complex and the Riley Fire in Denali National Park.
The BLM Alaska Fire Service remains vigilant, closely monitoring and rapidly responding to wildfires across Alaska, working around the clock to safeguard lives, property, and Alaska’s vast natural resources during this prolonged period of elevated wildfire risk.
