BLM has announced an emergency closure of the western portion of White Mountains National Recreation Area due to a wildfire – Alaska Wildland Fire Information

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – To protect the public and ensure firefighter safety in light of ongoing wildland fires associated with the Globe Fire (#253), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Eastern Field Office is closing the western portion of the White Mountains National Recreation Area around the Wickersham Dome Trailhead at mile marker 28 of the Elliott Highway. The closure will go into effect at midnight tonight and will continue through September 1, unless the BLM determines earlier that the areas are safe for public use.

The Globe Fire was first reported Tuesday as a 1-acre blaze that has grown to nearly 5,500 acres since Thursday due to erratic winds and hot, dry weather, prompting evacuation orders for local residents. The weather forecast for the area calls for continued hot, dry weather, increasing the risk of new structures forming and large fires developing, raising ongoing concerns for public and fire safety.

The emergency closure announced today includes trails, public use cabins, trail shelters and the Wickersham Dome Trailhead (mile 28 of the Elliott Highway), which could serve as a base for nearby firefighters. A map of the closure area has been published online.

BLM Trails Closed:

• Wickersham Creek Trail
• Trail Creek Trail (between the Wickersham Creek Trail junction and the junction with Moose Creek Trail)
• Moose Creek Trail
• Summit trail

BLM public use closed cabins and shelters:

• Lee’s Cabin
• Eleazar’s Cottage
• Moose Creek Cabin
• Summit Trail Shelter
• Wickersham Creek Trail Shelter

Until the BLM determines that use of these sites no longer poses a threat to public or firefighter safety, the public should not use the area. Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both (43 CFR § 9212).

The BLM appreciates public cooperation in helping minimize human-caused wildfires and keep everyone safe if wildfires are encountered while traveling on Alaska highways by following these tips:

• Watch out for firefighters and firefighting equipment on and along the road.
• Slow down before entering areas of heavy smoke.
• Make sure you have your high beams on to make you more visible to others.
• To report a wildlife fire in Alaska, call 1-800-237-3633 or 911.

For more information on the closure, contact the BLM Eastern Interior Field Office at (907) 474-2200. Additional information about the fire is available at www.akfireinfo.com or by calling the Alaska Interagency Fire Information Office at (907) 356-5511.

While the Wickersham Dome area is closed, the BLM manages other areas that remain open to the public, including hiking trails such as the Table Top Loop Trail, or the Quartz Creek Trail in the Nome Creek Valley.

Medica Contact: Teri Balser, [email protected], 907-474-2231.

-BLM-

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BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public lands, primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. BLM also administers 700 million acres of underground mineral resources nationwide. Our mission is to maintain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Related files

Fire closure map AK020-24-002 (PDF / 1.6 MB)

Categories: Active Wildland Fire, BLM Fairbanks District Office

Tags: Fire Closure, Fire Closure Order, Fire Restrictions, Globe Fire