A detection flight Saturday flew several fires in the Alaska Fire Service (AFS) Upper Yukon Zone, which covers northeastern Alaska, to monitor fire behavior and activity. Daily helicopter reconnaissance flights on the Ptarmigan Complex fires are also helping firefighters determine future work and resource needs based on fire behavior. The detection flight included the 50,657-acre Christian Fire 50 miles north of Fort Yukon. The fire was showing a 10% active perimeter, burning in black spruce and tundra. Fire behavior was minimal, with smoldering and creeping observed. This and other active fires in the zone will continue to be monitored.
The only staffed fires in the Upper Yukon Zone are part of the Ptarmigan Complex. On recent overflights, staff have observed some interior heat but little on the fire perimeters. These flights, combined with localized weather conditions and other area outlook information, are being used to prioritize upcoming work and right-size incident staffing levels.
The Crow Peak Wildland Fire Module from the Black Hills National Forest pulled all hose and pumps that had been positioned near a Alaska Native allotment north of the Turtle Fire. They also finished cutting wildlife passages into a nearby fuel break. Sunday was their last working day on the Complex, and they spent it working with aviation resources to backhaul equipment off the fire. The Ptarmigan Complex will experience another warm day with low humidity. Despite dry weather, fire behavior is moderating, allowing some firefighters to be released from the incident and remaining personnel to focus on monitoring, equipment removal, and restoration efforts.
