Muskox

## Muskox Fire Report - July 29, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Muskox Fire was discovered on July 9, 2025, around 7:37 p.m.. It is located on Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) land, approximately 48 miles northwest of Alatna, Alaska. **Size and Containment**: As of July 18, 2025, the fire was reported to be 1,000 acres. More recent reports from July 14, 2025, indicate a size of 591 acres. Specific containment percentages are not detailed in the available reports, but recent activity has been described as minimal. **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The primary fuel model for the Muskox Fire is timber (litter and understory). Recent fire behavior has been minimal, indicating low activity or some level of control. Northerly winds have been noted as a factor contributing to fire growth in Western Alaska fires generally, pushing flames and fire growth. **Containment Efforts**: Containment efforts are ongoing, with firefighters continuing to monitor the perimeter and mop up hot spots where fire behavior is minimal. ### Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering:** Currently, there are no specific reports of evacuations or evacuation warnings directly tied to the Muskox Fire within the last 72 hours. However, the broader Interior Alaska region has experienced significant wildfire activity leading to evacuations in other areas. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** No specific road or infrastructure closures directly related to the Muskox Fire have been reported in the last 72 hours. However, wildfires in Interior Alaska have led to temporary closures and delays on major highways, including the Parks Highway and the Elliot Highway, due to fire activity and smoky conditions. **For more information, visit:** * [Alaska Wildfires Smoke Forecast Page](https://akfireinfo.com/current-fires/) * [Alaska Department of Natural Resources - Division of Forestry](https://dnr.alaska.gov/bfs/fire/) * [National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)](https://www.nifc.gov/) ### Current Impact **Impacts:** Specific impacts from the Muskox Fire, such as structures destroyed or damaged, are not detailed in recent reports. However, widespread smoke from fires in Alaska and Canada has been observed across Alaska, impacting air quality. **Safety Concerns:** No specific burn bans or fire restrictions directly attributed to the Muskox Fire have been noted. However, due to the general wildfire situation in Alaska, air quality advisories have been issued in affected regions, warning of potentially unhealthy air conditions due to smoke. ### Ongoing Outlook **Containment Projections**: With currently minimal fire behavior, containment efforts are expected to continue with monitoring and mop-up operations. **Weather and Wind Warnings**: Alaska has been experiencing a mix of weather conditions. While some areas have seen cooler weather and fewer lightning strikes, warmer weather with strong winds and drier conditions are expected to return later in the week, which could increase fire activity. Generally, wildfire season in Alaska is influenced by warm, dry weather and lightning storms, with warmer and drier conditions increasing fire activity. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate **Cause**: The Muskox Fire is attributed to natural causes. **Weather and Climate**: The fire season in Alaska is significantly influenced by weather patterns. Warm, dry conditions and lightning strikes have been contributing factors to increased fire activity. Climate change is also playing a role, with trends of warmer temperatures and variable precipitation contributing to fire risk and the potential for rapid fire growth. Specifically, warming temperatures can lead to drier conditions and an accumulation of fuel, increasing the likelihood and intensity of wildfires. ### For more information, visit: * [Alaska Wildfires Smoke Forecast Page](https://akfireinfo.com/current-fires/) * [Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry](https://dnr.alaska.gov/bfs/fire/) * [National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)](https://www.nifc.gov/)

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