A wind-driven fire nearly burned the Northwest Arctic village of Selawik's energy infrastructure yesterday after it escaped the community's landfill. No injuries or deaths were reported.
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service says twelve smokejumpers and an air tanker responded to the Oblaron Fire Monday afternoon. A helicopter also dropped water from the air.
By last night, crews had stopped the fire within 100 yards of the community's newly constructed solar array. A representative with the fire service said Tuesday morning that the fire is 60% contained and holding at 21 acres.
Red flag warnings are in effect across the region today, meaning conditions are right for new fires to start easily and spread fast.
The Yukon Fire Dispatch Center issued the warning for the Northern Seward Peninsula, Upper Kobuk Valley, Interior Seward Peninsula, Lower Koyukuk Valley, and Middle Yukon Valley. It runs from 10 this morning until midnight tonight. The center officials say the warning is driven by dry fuels and lightning in the region.
A fire weather watch is in effect all day Wednesday for the Lower Kobuk Valley, Northern Seward Peninsula, Upper Kobuk Valley, and Lower Koyukuk Valley.
