06/23/2026
U.S. Wildland Fire Service Continues Work on Six Wildfires in Central, Interior Alaska
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service presently has staff on the Canyon Fire, Betula Fire, Shorty Fire, and three of the six fires that make up the Elliott Complex northwest of Minto. The Chotzatdhah Fire ( #262) was declared contained on Monday and firefighters and equipment were demobilized from the site for re-deployment.
Despite rain across southcentral Alaska overnight, fuels in much of the state remain very dry and are receptive to burning. Thunderstorms with lightning activity are forecast again today for western interior Alaska, with potential for new fire ignition. Holdover or sleeper fires may smolder below the surface for several days after lightning strikes, until temperatures warm, vegetation dries, and wind breathes life into the smoldering hotspot.
Staffed Fire Updates:
The Canyon Fire ( #174) is now estimated at 763 acres, with growth to the northwest and to the south over the past few days. On Monday the fire moved to the southwest. Firefighters made good progress implementing protection measures — setting up equipment such as pumps and hoses and clearing brush — for two Native allotments, cabins, and a fish camp in the area.
Six smokejumpers demobilized from the incident on Monday and will rejoin the rotation for initial attack on other wildfires. The remaining smokejumpers and the USWFS Chena Hotshots continue to improve control lines and set hose lays to protect two Native allotments, cabins, and a fish camp in the vicinity. Additional resources have been ordered. These areas of point protection are still not immediately threatened by the fire, but conditions remain favorable for fire growth. Rampart is the nearest community, which is approximately 20 miles east of the fire and south of the Yukon River. Smoke is visible to both boaters and aviators traveling the Yukon River corridor.
The Betula Fire ( #266) was active and roughly doubled in size on Monday to an estimated 35 acres. It is moving through an area of heavy dead and down timber, including remnants from a fire in 2025. Air attack and water scooping aircraft were deployed to cool the right flank of the fire and the head. Additional smokejumpers deployed to the site last night. They cut control line at the heel of the fire and are continuing to cut line around the perimeter of the fire. This incident is in a Modified Management Option area, which is treated as full suppression during this time of the fire season, and is located approximately 21 miles southeast of Central. The fire is presently 0% contained. The Pike Interagency Hotshot Crew from Colorado will travel to the fire today to join the efforts to suppress the fire.
Smokejumpers were sent to the Shorty Fire ( #271) late last night, approximately 7 miles southeast of Livengood. It is estimated at 7 acres. Retardant and scoopers were ordered and a passing rain cell dropped heavy precipitation. Fire activity was dramatically reduced; it is presently smoldering and creeping. Smokejumpers continued suppression operations through the night. Today they are continuing to cut control line around the fire perimeter.
Six fires in the vicinity of the Elliott Highway about 60 miles northwest of Fairbanks were grouped as the Elliott Complex to efficiently consolidate resources and response. The USWFS Alaska Type 3 Team is assuming command of the complex today, managing the Applegate Fire ( #235), Hutlitakwa Fire ( #240), Starvation Fire ( #241), Goose Fire ( #242), Truce Fire ( #243), and Lochenyatth Fire ( #249). Only three of the fires are staffed. The map for the Elliott Complex is unchanged from yesterday.
The Applegate Fire ( #235) had moderate fire activity yesterday as it was cooled by single-engine water scooping aircraft and rain. Fire behavior included isolated torching, backing and creeping. Smokejumpers and the USWFS North Stars Type 2 Fire Crew continue work to secure the fire perimeter, set up a hose lay, and cool hot spots. The fire is estimated at approximately 110 acres, with approximately 25% of the edge contained.
The Hutlitakwa Fire ( #240) presently has minimal fire behavior. It is estimated at approximately 7 acres, with 100% of the fire perimeter secured. Today firefighters are securing hotspots and begin mop-up.
The Nulato 1 and 2 Type 2 Contract Crews are arriving today to the Truce Fire ( #243) to extinguish hot spots and begin mop-up. The fire is smoldering and is estimated at approximately 50 acres.
