Birch

## Birch Fire Report - July 29, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Birch Lake Fire (#309) was discovered on June 20, 2025, approximately 4 miles northwest of Circle, Alaska. It is located southeast of Salcha and 4 miles northeast of Birch Lake. **Size and Containment**: As of July 2, 2025, the fire was estimated to be 73 acres and 50% contained. By July 4, 2025, it had grown to 73 acres and was 70% contained. As of July 23, 2025, a different Birch Fire in Yukon-Koyukuk County had burned 4,920 acres and was 62% contained. However, the most recent reports focus on the Birch Lake Fire. As of July 25, 2025, the Birch Lake Fire was reported as 72.87 acres and 100% contained. **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The Birch Lake Fire is primarily burning in timber (grass and understory). It has shown minimal activity, with creeping and smoldering, and occasional single tree torching. Recent weather and rain have decreased fire activity. **Containment Efforts**: The fire is lightning-caused. Firefighting efforts have involved multiple crews, including the Mad River Hotshots and type 2 hand crews. A type 4 team assumed command on July 5, 2025. Containment efforts have been successful, with the fire reported as 100% contained as of July 25, 2025. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) was established over the fire area to ensure the safety of aerial firefighting operations and ground personnel. The estimated cost to date for the Birch Lake Fire is $555,170. ### Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering:** **Evacuation Orders/Warnings**: An evacuation alert was issued for the community of Central and surrounding areas on June 20, 2025, due to increased fire activity in the Ptarmigan Complex, which included the Turtle and Ikheenjik fires. However, the "Ready" evacuation level for the Central area was lifted on July 19, 2025. No specific evacuation shelters have been mentioned for the Birch Fire. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** * The Lower Birch Creek Wayside near mile 140 of the Steese Highway was temporarily closed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) due to wildfire activity associated with the Turtle Fire, part of the Ptarmigan Complex. This closure restricted river access and parking for Birch Creek Wild and Scenic River. The closure was rescinded on July 21, 2025. * Drivers were advised to be cautious of firefighters and equipment along roads and to slow down in areas of dense smoke. **For more information, visit:** * [Alaska Wildland Fire Information]: https://akfireinfo.com/ * [Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Restrictions]: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-law-enforcement/fire-and-aviation/fire-management/fire-restrictions/alaska * [Alaska Interagency Fire Information Office]: (907) 356-5511 ### Current Impact **Impacts:** **Structures Impacted**: No specific information is available regarding structures impacted by the Birch Lake Fire. However, in a broader context of Interior Alaska wildfires in late June 2025, some homes and other structures had burned, with an exact number not yet determined. **School and Business Closures**: No school or business closures have been reported specifically for the Birch Lake Fire. **Notable Impacts**: There are no notable individuals or structures specifically impacted by the Birch Lake Fire reported in the provided information. **Safety Concerns:** **Power Outages**: No power outages have been reported in relation to the Birch Lake Fire. **Water Safety**: No specific water safety concerns have been reported. **Burn Bans and Fire Restrictions**: Alaska remains in fire season, and visitors should remain alert to active fires. While specific burn bans for the Birch Lake Fire area are not detailed, general fire restrictions are common during wildfire season in Alaska. **Air Quality**: As of July 25, 2025, air quality in the North Pole area, near the Birch Fire, was reported as good. However, smoke from wildfires can impact air quality, and residents should monitor local advisories. ### Ongoing Outlook **Containment Projections**: The Birch Lake Fire has achieved 100% containment as of July 25, 2025. Firefighting efforts have been successful in securing the perimeter and extinguishing interior heat. **Weather and Wind Warnings**: A Heat Advisory and Red Flag Warning were issued for the Ptarmigan Complex area in late June and early July 2025, indicating conditions conducive to increased fire activity, including high temperatures, low humidity, and wind. These conditions can lead to extreme fire behavior. While recent cooler, wet weather has helped reduce fire activity, warm and dry conditions are still expected into the weekend of July 4-5, 2025. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate **Cause**: The Birch Lake Fire was caused by lightning. **Weather and Climate**: The fire's activity has been influenced by warm and dry conditions, typical of Alaska's fire season. The issuance of Heat Advisories and Red Flag Warnings highlights the role of weather in exacerbating fire danger, with forecasts indicating hot, dry, and windy conditions. Climate trends in Alaska, including warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns, contribute to an increased risk of wildfires. Historically, Alaska has experienced periods of increased fire activity, particularly during warm and dry periods similar to current climate trends. ### **For more information, visit:** * [Alaska Wildland Fire Information]: https://akfireinfo.com/ * [Alaska Division of Forestry]: https://forestry.alaska.gov/ * [Alaska State Parks]: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/

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