The U.S. Wildland Fire Service reported two new fires in the Norton Sound area Friday.
The larger of the two is about 8 miles east of Shaktoolik, 1.5 miles north of the Shaktoolik River, and 1 mile west of Third Creek. According to the fire service, it was about four acres in size.
Ten smokejumpers were deployed to the fire, along with a De Havilland Canada Dash 8 firefighting aircraft operated by Bighorn Airways. The fire service said Friday night that the fire was not a threat to Shaktoolik or nearby Native allotments.
The Shaktoolik wildfire has been nicknamed the Christmas Fire. Aerial surveys suggested the fire was 40% active, with it mostly burning in tundra. It appeared to be spreading toward a marshy area, which officials believed could slow the growth of the fire.
A separate fire four miles northeast of Golovin was also reported Friday. Two smokejumpers responded and found it was about a half-acre in size but with no visible flames. The fire service said there were Native allotments near the fire, but they are not currently threatened.
The fire near Golovin was contained thanks to the "quick work of local residents", according to the fire service.
