Home › AK Fire Info › Air Attack, Smokejumpers, and an Air Tanker responding to Fire King Salmon Creek Fire (Fire #182)

By Alaska Division of Forestry on June 4, 2022

The 220-acre wildfire is 100% contained as of 4:30 pm thanks to the work of the 12 Smokejumpers with air support from fixed wing air tankers and helicopters with water buckets. The Incident Commander has requested a 20-person handcrew to be flown into the fire tomorrow to help mop up and further secure the fire perimeter.

The wildfire remained active through the night and grew to an estimated 220 to 250 acres. The 12 Smokejumpers deployed to the fire, named the King Salmon Creek Fire, anchored in to the heel, or least active portion of the fire, and began working the flanks. The group of jumpers continued the difficult fire suppression work on the tundra until about 4:00 am this morning (6/5) in their effort to completely extinguish this wildfire.

This morning, the smokejumpers have requested air support and a helicopter with bucket capabilities. The King Salmon Creek Fire falls under a 100%, full-suppression strategy. According to the ground personnel, the area has plenty of opportunities to utilize portable pumps with hoses for water support.

Record temperatures continued for the area leading to active wildfires on the Alaska Peninsula, including the Contact Creek Fire (Fire #151). The 6,632-acre wildfire located 40 miles southeast of King Salmon is burning in a limited suppression area in the Katmai National Park and Preserve. The Alaska Department of Forestry and the National Park Service has been monitoring the fire with aircraft.

The wildfire (Fire #182) is estimated to be 20 acres and is actively burning in continuous tundra. Smokejumpers have been deployed to the incident and are being supported by a fixed wing air tanker, that will utilize the Kenai Air Tanker Base to reload with retardant and return to the incident.

Values at risk in the area include one fish camp 3/4 of a mile to the south of the fire, and two others approximately 10 miles to the north.

A new wildfire start estimated at 1/10 of an acre was reported approximately 12 miles north of the King Salmon Airport.

Air Attack (Air Tactical Group Supervisor), Air tanker 540, and a load of Smokejumpers positioned in McGrath are responding to the incident.

Multiple lightning strikes were reported in the area from today’s (6/04) thunderstorm activity.

More updates will be provided when resources arrive on the scene.

Division of Forestry – Statewide Public Information Officer; (907)356-5512 or cell (907)590-4038.

BLM Alaska Fire Service – Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen; eipsen@blm.gov; (907)356-5510 or cell (907)388-2159.

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