Wheeler

Here is a summary of the Wheeler Fire in Alaska, focusing on information from the last 72 hours: ## Wheeler Fire Report - July 29, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth * **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Wheeler Fire was discovered on July 7, 2025, around 10:42 a.m. or 11:42 a.m., approximately 30 miles north of Huslia, Alaska. * **Size and Containment**: As of July 21, 2025, the fire had burned approximately 26,698 acres and was 0% contained. Other reports from July 12 indicated a size of 12,410 acres, and by July 25, it was reported as 12,410 acres with 0% containment. The most recent data from July 21 indicates 455 fires are being tracked in Alaska, with the Wheeler Fire being one of them. * **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The primary fuel type for the Wheeler Fire is timber (litter and understory). Gusty northerly winds and warmer weather have been contributing to the fire's growth. The fire is exhibiting minimal behavior, but the dry conditions and lightning activity in Interior Alaska have led to rapid fire growth in general. * **Containment Efforts**: As of July 21, the Wheeler Fire was 0% contained. Containment efforts are ongoing, with a total of 4 personnel assigned to the fire as of July 21. ### Emergency Information * **Evacuations and Sheltering**: Information regarding specific evacuations for the Wheeler Fire is not detailed in the provided snippets. However, in the broader context of Interior Alaska fires, evacuations have been a significant concern, with hundreds of people evacuated around Fairbanks, Healy, and Tok due to rapidly growing fires. Evacuation levels are typically categorized as "READY" (Level 1), "SET" (Level 2), and "GO!" (Level 3). * **Road and Infrastructure Closures**: Specific road closures directly related to the Wheeler Fire are not detailed in the provided snippets. However, wildfires in Interior Alaska have intermittently caused highway closures and delays. For example, the Elliott Highway has experienced closures due to wildfire activity. The Parks Highway has also been subject to closures and delays due to fires like the Bear Creek Fire. * **For more information, visit:** * Alaska Wildland Fire Information: [http://akfireinfo.com/](http://akfireinfo.com/) * Alaska's News Source: [https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/](https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/) * Alaska DOT & Public Facilities (for road closures): [https://511.alaska.gov/](https://511.alaska.gov/) ### Current Impact * **Impacts**: Specific impacts from the Wheeler Fire, such as structures destroyed or infrastructure damaged, are not detailed in the provided search results. However, other fires in Interior Alaska have led to structures burning, and widespread smoke has affected air quality across the region, with advisories warning of very unhealthy air near fires. * **School and Business Closures**: No information is available regarding school or business closures specifically due to the Wheeler Fire. * **Notable Impacts**: No notable people or structures have been specifically reported as impacted by the Wheeler Fire in the provided snippets. * **Safety Concerns**: * **Power Outages**: No information on power outages related to the Wheeler Fire is available. * **Water Safety**: No specific water safety concerns have been reported. * **Burn Bans/Fire Restrictions**: While not specific to the Wheeler Fire, general fire danger and restrictions are common during Alaska's fire season due to dry conditions. * **Air Quality**: Smoke from Interior Alaska fires has led to air quality advisories, with potential for very unhealthy air quality near fires. ### Ongoing Outlook * **Containment Projections**: As of July 21, the Wheeler Fire was 0% contained. Firefighting efforts are ongoing, but specific projections for containment are not provided. * **Weather and Wind Warnings**: While no specific Red Flag Warnings or High Wind Warnings are mentioned for the Wheeler Fire in the provided snippets, general weather patterns in Interior Alaska have included dry conditions, heat, and abundant lightning, contributing to fire activity. Cooler weather and showers are forecast for parts of Alaska, which may aid suppression efforts. Winds have been a factor in fire growth. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate * **Cause**: The cause of the Wheeler Fire is listed as natural. Lightning is a common cause for fires in Alaska, especially during periods of thunderstorms with little to no rain. * **Weather and Climate**: The fire is occurring within a context of dry fuels, hot weather, and significant lightning activity in Interior Alaska. Climate change is noted as a factor that may lead to more frequent and intense wildfire behavior. The season started with a cool and wet spring, but a drastic pattern change led to rapid warming and dry conditions, moving Alaska into its fire season in earnest. ### For more information, visit: * Alaska Wildland Fire Information: [http://akfireinfo.com/](http://akfireinfo.com/) * Alaska Interagency Coordination Center (AICC) Wildland Fire Dashboard: [https://fire.ak.blm.gov/](https://fire.ak.blm.gov/) (Note: Direct link to dashboard may vary, this is the general AICC site) * Alaska's News Source (for local news and updates): [https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/](https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/)

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