News Release

Lightning sparks new wildfires in central section of Noatak

Date: June 9, 2020
Contact: Tyler Teuscher, 907-442-8321
Contact: Fire Management Officer Larry Weddle, 907-683-9548

Lightning sparks new wildfires in central section of Noatak

On June 4^th two fires were detected via satellite in Noatak National Preserve, over subsequent days the National Park Service in conjunction with Alaska Fire Service (BLM) determined there where a total of 6 lightening ignited fires burning in the Preserve. 

Fires started on June 4, 2020
Nimiuktuk River Fire (#180) – 1,643 acres lighting caused fire. The fire is in monitor status.
Imikneyak Creek Fire (# 182) – 1,043 acres lighting caused fire. The fire is in monitor status.
Tumit Creek Fire (#186) – 1,147 acres lighting caused fire. The fire is in monitor status.

Fires started on June 5, 2020
Aklumayuak Creek Fire (#188) – 187 acres lighting caused fire. The fire is in monitor status.
Kuyak Creek Fire (#189) – 424 acres lighting caused fire. The fire is in monitor status.
Aklumayuak Creek 2 Fire (#191) – 256 acres lighting caused fire. The fire is in monitor status.
Due to the remoteness of the fires, and distance to any known infrastructure fire managers will continue to monitor the fires for any further need for action. No growth detected on these fires since June 7, 2020.

Fire in Alaska’s boreal forest is an essential process that restores ecosystem health and helps maintain species diversity. The National Park Service works with its interagency partners, neighboring communities, and other stakeholders to balance the risks and benefits of wildland fire when making decisions on fire management. Land owners can decrease the risk to their property by taking steps to make cabins and other structures more defensible against wildfire.
Additional information on the Preserve is available at www.nps.gov/noat or by calling the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center at [phone] or NPS Alaska Western Area Fire Management at [phone]

www.nps.gov

More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.