Marshall Mountain

### 1. Fire Start, Size and Growth - **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Marshall Mountain Fire in Alaska was active as of mid-July 2025, with detailed incident reports from July 14 and 15 indicating ongoing fire behavior near Fairbanks, Alaska. - **Size and Containment**: Specific acreage for the Marshall Mountain Fire is not explicitly stated in the available reports, but it is among the uncontained large fires in Alaska contributing to the region's total fire activity. Alaska's fires collectively have burned tens of thousands of acres, with multiple large fires uncontained as of mid-July. - **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The fire exhibits active behavior including creeping, torching, and spotting, which indicates a dynamic and potentially fast-moving fire front. The fuels involved are typical of Alaska’s boreal forest and brush, which can support such fire behavior. - **Containment Efforts**: Incident management teams are assigned to the fire, with coordinated efforts including evacuations and closures to protect structures and public safety. The fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy with resources including crews, engines, and helicopters deployed in the region[1][3]. ### 2. Emergency Information - **Evacuations and Sheltering**: Evacuations are in effect for areas near the fire, including zones around Himalaya Road and Fairbanks. Specific evacuation orders and warnings are active to protect residents from the advancing fire threat. - **Road and Trail Closures**: Road and trail closures are in place in the affected areas to facilitate firefighting efforts and ensure public safety. Himalaya Road near Fairbanks is specifically mentioned as closed. - **Estimated Impacted Population**: While exact numbers are not provided, the presence of evacuation orders near populated areas like Fairbanks suggests that hundreds to potentially thousands of residents could be impacted. - **For more information, visit:** - Alaska Interagency Coordination Center (AICC) Fire Updates - Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry - National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) Incident Information ### 3. Current Impact - **Structures and Infrastructure**: Structures are reported as threatened by the fire, though no confirmed destruction has been detailed in the available reports. - **Injuries and Fatalities**: No specific reports of injuries or fatalities related to the Marshall Mountain Fire have been noted as of the latest updates. - **Power and Utilities**: No specific power outages or utility disruptions have been reported, but ongoing fire activity near populated areas could pose risks. - **Safety Concerns**: Active fire behavior and evacuations highlight significant safety risks. Burn bans and fire restrictions are likely in place given the fire activity and dry conditions. Smoke from the fire may affect air quality in nearby communities. - **Health Risks**: Residents should be aware of potential respiratory impacts from smoke and follow local health advisories. ### 4. Ongoing Outlook - **Containment Projections**: Containment remains challenging due to active fire behavior and weather conditions. Firefighters continue suppression efforts with multiple teams assigned. - **Weather and Wind Warnings**: The region has experienced a recent heat wave followed by lightning events that have increased fire activity. Drier than normal conditions are expected to persist, maintaining above-normal fire potential in Alaska through the summer[2]. - **Fire Behavior**: Continued creeping, torching, and spotting are expected, which can lead to rapid fire spread and complicate containment efforts. ### 5. Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate - **Cause**: The specific cause of the Marshall Mountain Fire has not been detailed in the available information. - **Weather and Climate**: The fire activity is influenced by a recent prolonged heat wave in Interior Alaska, followed by significant lightning events that ignited multiple fires. Drier than normal conditions and low humidity have contributed to the fire's growth and intensity. These conditions are consistent with broader climate trends leading to increased wildfire risk in Alaska and the western U.S.[2] For ongoing updates, residents and interested parties should monitor official Alaska fire management websites and the National Interagency Fire Center.

Citations

['https://www.nifc.gov/sites/default/files/NICC/1-Incident%20Information/IMSR/2025/July/IMSR_CY25_07142025_0.pdf', 'https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/predictive/outlooks/NA_Outlook.pdf', 'https://www.nifc.gov/sites/default/files/NICC/1-Incident%20Information/IMSR/2025/July/IMSR_CY25_07152025_0.pdf', 'https://flatheadbeacon.com/2025/07/14/what-could-the-end-of-the-roadless-rule-mean-for-montanas-national-forests/', 'https://www.mapofire.com/fires/139411785/alaska/marshall-mountain-fire']