Lightning Ignites Wildfire at Kobuk Valley National Park

Date: July 25, 2015
Contact: Linda Jeschke , 907-442-8321
Contact: Michelle Fidler, 907-644-3418

Kotzebue, Alaska - The lightning-ignited Salmon River Fire was reported by a member of the public around 5 pm on July 23, 2015. As of July 24^th the fire is estimated to be approximately 43 acres. It is located in Kobuk Valley National Park, 4 miles east of the confluence of the Kobuk and Salmon Rivers, 2.1 miles southeast of the confluence of Tutuksuk and Kobuk Rivers. The fire is burning in black spruce, mixed hardwood and tundra. There are native allotments and few structures located within 1-2 miles of the fire.

Due to the increased fire activity on July 24, fire managers are planning direct actions on the north and east portions of the fire to minimize growth towards the allotments.Structure protection preparations are being conducted as contingency actions. Eight smokejumpers have been deployed to begin structure protection.

The wildland fire protection agency for the area, the Alaska Fire Service –Galena Zone, is working closely the National Park Service to monitor the fire and take measures to protect life and property as needed.

Statewide wildfire information is available at http://akfireinfo.com or http://fire.ak.blm.gov or by calling the Joint Information Center at [phone].

Additional park information is available on the web at https://www.nps.gov/kova.