Buffalo

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Buffalo Fire ignited on June 22, 2026, in the Donnelly Training Area west of the Delta River near Delta Junction, in Southeast Fairbanks County, Alaska. It is located approximately 6.5 miles west of Milepost 257 on the Richardson Highway.
Size and Containment: As of July 17, 2026, the fire is estimated at approximately 767 acres and remains 0% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire has been burning in brush and black spruce fuels within an area that previously burned in 2015. Over the course of its lifespan, it has exhibited backing, torching, and running behavior, though recent growth has been minimal due to weather conditions.
Containment Efforts: The fire is burning within a Limited Management Option Area. Under this Alaska-specific management designation, wildfires are generally allowed to play their natural ecological role unless they threaten identified sites of value. Because no sites of value or infrastructure are currently threatened, the fire remains unstaffed. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alaska Fire Service have spent the last 72 hours closely monitoring the fire via satellite imagery and aerial reconnaissance.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: There are currently no mandatory evacuation orders in place.
Evacuation Warnings: There are no evacuation warnings in effect.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: No shelters have been opened, as no communities are currently threatened by the fire.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:
There are currently no road or infrastructure closures associated with the Buffalo Fire. The Richardson Highway remains open to all traffic.

For more information, visit:

• Alaska Wildland Fire Information (AK Fire Info)
• Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection
• Bureau of Land Management - Alaska Fire Service

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no reported injuries or fatalities associated with the Buffalo Fire.
Structures Impacted: No structures have been damaged or destroyed, and none are currently threatened.
School and Business Closures: No schools or businesses have been impacted.
Notable Impacts: The fire is burning within the military's Donnelly Training Area but is not impacting critical operations, communities, or infrastructure.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: There are no power outages related to this incident.
Water Safety: No water safety concerns have been reported.
Burn Bans: Residents and visitors should check with the Alaska Division of Forestry for local burn bans and fire restrictions, as conditions can change rapidly during the summer fire season.
Air Quality: Smoke from the Buffalo Fire may occasionally be visible from nearby communities, including Delta Junction, and along the Richardson Highway. Residents with respiratory conditions should monitor local air quality advisories and limit outdoor activities if smoke settles into the area.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: Because the fire is in a Limited Management Option Area, fire managers do not project a traditional containment date. The strategy over the last 72 hours—and moving forward—is to monitor the fire and allow it to fulfill its natural ecological role. Direct suppression efforts will only be initiated if the fire unexpectedly shifts and moves toward designated sites of value or communities.
Weather and Wind Warnings: Intermittent precipitation over the last several weeks has significantly moderated fire activity. However, officials warn that returning warm and dry conditions could allow fire behavior to increase again. Fire monitors will continue to evaluate weather conditions and fire activity daily to ensure the fire remains within its expected footprint.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The exact cause of the Buffalo Fire is currently unknown and remains under investigation, though remote fires in this region during the summer months are frequently ignited by lightning strikes.
Weather and Climate: The fire's behavior is heavily dictated by sub-Arctic summer weather patterns. While periodic heavy rainfall has kept the fire's spread in check, the underlying black spruce and brush fuels remain highly susceptible to ignition and rapid spread during periods of warm, dry, and windy conditions typical of the Alaskan interior fire season.

For more information, visit:

• Alaska Wildland Fire Information (AK Fire Info)
• Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection
• Bureau of Land Management - Alaska Fire Service