Alaska Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Alaska - May 20, 2026

Overview

Alaska is experiencing an elevated fire risk typical of the spring season. Snowmelt has exposed a significant amount of dead, dry grass that ignites easily and carries fire quickly. While the state is transitioning into "green-up"—which brings moisture back to the landscape and thicker vegetation to slow the wind—the risk remains high due to human-caused fires. Over 53 wildfires have been reported so far this season, with the vast majority being human-caused. The current Preparedness Level for the Alaska Geographic Area is 1, indicating that while there is fire activity, adequate resources are available.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: There are currently multiple active fires in Alaska, and wildland fire activity is requiring rapid initial attack responses to manage incident objectives. Firefighters are actively engaging new starts, battling gusty winds, and mopping up existing fires across the Interior and Southcentral regions.

Key Fires:
Sawmill Creek Fire: Located east of Delta Junction near the Gerstle River, this 14.8-acre fire was caused by an escaped agricultural burn. It is actively fueled by dry grass and trees. Gusty, storm-driven winds caused the fire to spot across the river in several places. Multiple crews, including Type 2 Initial Attack Crews, Smokejumpers, and Helitack resources, have responded. Firefighters have constructed saw lines along the flanks and are heavily focused on mopping up the perimeter, moving cautiously due to fire-weakened trees.

Killey River Fire: This 7.7-acre human-caused fire is located southeast of Funny River on the Kenai Peninsula, burning within the 2014 Funny River Fire footprint. It was fueled by dry grass and slash. Crews successfully gridded the area, finding no heat or visible smoke. As of May 19, the fire has been declared contained, controlled, and placed in monitor status.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, in partnership with the Department of Fish and Game, is conducting several prescribed burns to manage fuel loads and improve wildlife habitat. A 375-acre prescribed burn is planned in the Matanuska Valley Moose Range near Sutton-Alpine. Additionally, annual prescribed burning is taking place at Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in Fairbanks to clear dead grass and recycle nutrients. Denali National Park has also extended the prescribed burning of slash piles near the park entrance through May 30.
Due to critical fire weather, burn permits have been suspended in the Delta Fire Prevention Area, Fairbanks, and the Kenai-Kodiak areas. Statewide, burn permits are required for any open burning larger than a small cooking or warming fire.

Air Quality: Smoke from prescribed burns in the Matanuska Valley Moose Range may be visible in Sutton and Chickaloon. Smoke is also likely to be present in Fairbanks due to the Creamer's Field burn, and along the Parks Highway near Denali National Park. Residents in these areas should be aware and monitor local air quality advisories.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: Strong winds have been building across Southcentral Alaska and the Interior, with gusts reaching up to 55 mph in some areas. These winds, combined with dry dead grass, are significantly contributing to fire danger.
Forecasted Weather: The National Weather Service in Fairbanks issued a Red Flag Warning for the Delta Junction area through Tuesday evening, May 19, due to a combination of low relative humidity (as low as 23%), warm temperatures around 60 degrees, and gusty southerly winds. These critical fire weather conditions mean any new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly. Moving forward, wet weather is expected to roll into Southeast and Southern portions of the state, which may aid in mitigating some fire risk in those areas.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are urged to use extreme caution with anything that could spark a fire. Avoid burning, check local burn restrictions, and be careful with equipment like chainsaws or lawnmowers in dry, grassy areas. Campfires must be extinguished completely—drown them with water, stir the ashes, and feel for heat. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.
Resource Allocation: Firefighters and initial attack crews, including Helitack and Smokejumpers, are strategically positioned and responding rapidly to new starts. Unmanned Aerial Systems (drones) are also being utilized to seek out hotspots and guide firefighters on the ground to ensure no spots are missed.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
Alaska Interagency Coordination Center: fire.ak.blm.gov
Alaska Wildland Fire Information: akfireinfo.com

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.