Wildfires in Alaska now

Alaska is currently experiencing an intense wildfire season, with hundreds of active fires across the state and significant firefighting efforts underway.

• As of July 6, 2025, there are 214 active wildfires statewide2. The Alaska Division of Forestry reports that more than 1,600 personnel are assigned to 28 staffed fires, with a total of 14 active fires in the Northern and Coastal Regions alone17.

• The state is at Preparedness Level 5, the highest alert, indicating that resources are stretched and conditions are critical due to ongoing fire activity, dry fuel conditions, and predicted hot, dry weather1.

• Major fires of concern include:

  • (20 miles southwest of Fairbanks): Includes the Bonanza Creek Fire (8,010 acres, 0% contained) and Goldstream Creek Fire (12,286 acres, 0% contained), both caused by lightning. Evacuations are in effect at multiple levels (READY, SET, GO!)1.

  • : Burning along the Elliott Highway corridor1.

  • : Four staffed fires are active, including the Tsukon, Fortymile, Runt, Obrien, and the Ptarmigan Complex2.

• , several fires are burning under limited management, including the Aniralik Fire (4,906 acres), Kandik Fire (4,385 acres), and New Cottonwood Fire (2,989 acres)5.

• Statewide, 288,129 acres have burned so far in 20256.

• Recent fire activity has been driven by thousands of lightning strikes, especially in the Interior, and the situation has intensified in recent weeks after a slow start to the season4.

include ongoing evacuations, highway closures (notably on the Parks Highway due to the Nenana Ridge Complex), and significant resource mobilization1.

: Hot, dry, and breezy conditions are expected to persist, with temperatures in the Interior reaching 80-95°F and relative humidity as low as 15%, further elevating fire risk6.

:
Alaska faces a severe wildfire season in July 2025, with hundreds of active fires, major incidents near Fairbanks and along key highways, widespread evacuations, and critical weather conditions fueling ongoing fire danger126.

1. https://akfireinfo.com/2025/07/05/alaska-division-of-forestry-wildfire-roundup-2025/
2. https://akfireinfo.com
3. https://smoke.alaska.edu/current_fires.html
4. https://alaskapublic.org/programs/talk-of-alaska/2025-07-01/updates-on-the-2025-fire-season-talk-of-alaska
5. https://www.nps.gov/locations/alaska/wildland-fire.htm
6. https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
7. https://www.instagram.com/p/DLuyrTMxMWt/
8. https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/a23a625f4d18412ea13cffeefcbe7f5e