Public Media for Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
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Fire Season Arrives

There are a few fires in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta so far this fire season, a couple of them in the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge: on the coast north of Newtok and north of Akiachak. The Gweek Fire has grown over 75 acres and was listed as covering a total of 80 acres on Sunday. The Anerkochik River Fire was reported on June 6and has not been flown. None of these fires are staffed.

There are also a couple of fires reported near the Aniak River, a couple near Doestock Creek, and one at Victoria Creek. There were no overflights done on many of the small fires in the region because they appear to have very little smoke.

Last week over 20,000 lightning strikes were recorded over Alaska, starting over 78 fires. At the end of the week there were 177 wildfires in the state, burning an estimated 17,000 acres or more. Smoke from some of the larger fires west of Fairbanks is beginning to be noticed in the city.