Ophir

## Ophir Fire Report - July 29, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Ophir Fire was first reported on June 19, 2025, in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, approximately 40 miles northeast of Fairbanks, near Chatanika. **Size and Containment**: As of July 22, 2025, the fire had burned 729 acres and remained 0% contained. The last update provided on July 26, 2025, indicated that the fire was still active, though cooler and wetter weather had moderated its behavior. **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The fire is primarily fueled by closed timber litter, which consists of dense forest floor material. The fire behavior has been described as minimal, suggesting slow or limited spread under current conditions. The BLM noted that extended hot and dry weather forecasts increased the risk of new starts and large fire growth. **Containment Efforts**: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is the lead agency managing the response. The fire has been burning for over a month with no containment achieved, likely due to its remote location and the type of fuel it is consuming. Crews have been working to protect Alaska Native allotments and structures in the area. ### Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering**: There are no reports of mandatory evacuation orders or warnings related to the Ophir Fire. The nearest community is Chatanika, but no evacuations have been indicated. **Road and Infrastructure Closures**: The BLM announced an emergency closure of trails and off-road areas in the Nome Creek Valley of the White Mountains National Recreation Area, accessible from the U.S. Creek Road at mile 57 Steese Highway, due to ongoing wildland fire activity associated with the Ophir Fire. This closure was in effect from June 20, 2025, and was rescinded on July 10, 2025. The Nome Creek Road and its two campgrounds were not initially included in the closure, but changing conditions could necessitate future closures. **For more information, visit:** * [Alaska Interagency Coordination Center (AICC) Situation Reports](https://fire.ak.blm.gov/aiccdashboard/Dashboard.aspx) * [AKFireInfo wildfire news and alerts](https://akfireinfo.com/) * [Alaska 511 for real-time road conditions](https://511.alaska.gov/) ### Current Impact **Impacts**: **Structures Impacted**: There are no reported impacts on structures or infrastructure. The fire is burning on federal land managed by the BLM in a remote area. Crews are working to protect Alaska Native allotments and structures. **Injuries and Fatalities**: No injuries or fatalities have been reported in connection with the Ophir Fire. **Safety Concerns**: **Air Quality**: The air quality near the fire area is reported as moderate, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) around 65. Smoke from wildfires in Alaska and Canada has been observed across a wide area, including parts of Alaska. **Burn Bans and Fire Restrictions**: As of July 3, 2025, the Alaska Division of Forestry had suspended all burn permits for almost the entire state, including the Interior, Southcentral, the Kenai Peninsula, and Kodiak, due to intensifying fire conditions. While specific current restrictions for the Ophir Fire area are not detailed, general fire safety awareness is advised. ### Ongoing Outlook **Containment Projections**: Containment efforts have been ongoing for over a month with no containment achieved as of the last update. Fire managers are continuing to monitor conditions, with warmer and drier weather forecasted for northeastern Alaska, which could lead to increased activity on existing fires. **Weather and Wind Warnings**: The weather forecast for the area has included extended hot and dry conditions, increasing the risks of new fire starts and growth. While cooler, wetter weather has recently moderated fire behavior, warmer and drier conditions are expected to return. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate **Cause**: The cause of the Ophir Fire has been determined to be electrical failure on a billboard. **Weather and Climate**: The fire ignited and has been influenced by weather patterns that have included periods of hot, dry, and windy conditions, which exacerbate wildfire risk. Alaska's 2025 wildfire season has been active overall, with over 913,000 acres burned statewide by July 24, 2025, reflecting ongoing dry conditions and climate influences that increase wildfire risk. ### For more information, visit: * [Alaska Wildland Fire Information](https://akfireinfo.com/) * [Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alaska Fire Service](https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/alaska) * [Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection](https://dnr.alaska.gov/forestry/fire)

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