05/20/2026
Alaska
The Alaska Interagency Coordination Center increased the statewide Preparedness Level to 2 at 7 a.m. today (May 20, 2026). As snowmelt continues and highly‑flammable dry grass becomes exposed, Alaska is seeing more wildfires that require a response. While overall activity remains low to moderate, crews are responding to new starts daily to protect people and property.
As of this morning, there have been 63 fires for 368 acres burned statewide.
What does Preparedness Level 2 mean?
Preparedness Levels help agencies across Alaska coordinate people, aircraft, and equipment based on fire activity and expected conditions. Moving to means multiple areas are seeing new fire starts and conditions are shifting from low to moderate as snowmelt exposes more burnable fuels. While fires remain manageable and resources are not in short supply, agencies are increasing awareness, adjusting staffing, and ensuring the right personnel and aircraft are ready to respond. These levels are reassessed daily using factors such as predicted weather, fuel conditions, current fire activity, and resource availability across the state.
Go to the AICC Situational Dashboard to get latest statistics: https://ow.ly/AsM350Z1URj
📷 size up the ( #079), an escaped agricultural burn outside Delta Junction on Monday, May 18, 2026. Photo taken from video by Quinn Evenson, USWFS smokejumper
