The 2025 Alaska wildfires were a series of wildfires that burned across Alaska during the 2025 fire season. By mid-September, the season had burned an estimated 1.68 million acres, roughly double the 10-year average for the state.
Background
"Fire season" in Alaska now starts on April 1, one month earlier than historically. Large fires typically start in late May and are contained by late July. The Interior has four distinct wildfire stages. The first occurs soon after snowmelt from dry grass ignited by humans and spread by wind. The peak of fire season occurs around the summer solstice when long, warm daylight hours dry out plant litter that is ignited by lightning. In late July, high temperatures and drought extend fire season. In autumn, fire activity tends to slow down due to cooling temperatures and shorter day length. However, fire managers have been challenged in recent decades due to variability in season conditions. Most wildfires burn in the Interior boreal forest between the Brooks Range and Alaska Range.
List of wildfires
The following is a list of fires that burned more than , produced significant structural damage, or resulted in casualties.
NameCounty Acres Start dateContainment dateNotes/ReferencesKathulSoutheast Fairbanks1,008OskawalikBethel1,779CaribouYukon-Koyukuk1,936Caused by lightning.HogatzaYukon-Koyukuk29,280Caused by lightning.Kawichiark 1Northwest Arctic4,626Caused by lightning.Kawichiark 2Northwest Arctic2,670Caused by lightning.TelidasideYukon-Koyukuk1,733ChickenYukon-Koyukuk8,071Caused by lightning.TetilesookNorthwest Arctic1,282Caused by lightning.TagagawikYukon-Koyukuk1,378Caused by lightning.WolfYukon-Koyukuk2,021Caused by lightning.ObrienYukon-Koyukuk7,642Caused by lightning.HelpMeJackYukon-Koyukuk3,172Caused by lightning.ChabanikaYukon-Koyukuk4,131Caused by lightning.KalusukNorthwest Arctic1,062Caused by lightning.KlikhtentotznaYukon-Koyukuk117,908Caused by lightning.KandikSoutheast Fairbanks5,327Caused by lightning.Meadow CreekYukon-Koyukuk19,634Caused by lightning.Kechumstuk CreekSoutheast Fairbanks12,604Caused by lightning.Boulder CreekFairbanks North Star4,056Caused by lightning.OrumYukon-Koyukuk5,647Caused by lightning.LushYukon-Koyukuk26,686WilliamsYukon-Koyukuk1,180Caused by lightning.AniralikNorthwest Arctic4,930Caused by lightning.Twelvemile LakeSoutheast Fairbanks24,145Caused by lightning.Ricks CreekFairbanks North Star16,848Caused by lightning.NinetyeightFairbanks North Star16,190Caused by lightning.Himalaya RoadFairbanks North Star6,056Caused by lightning.Bear CreekDenali30,988Caused by lightning. 34 reported residences destroyed.MoranYukon-Koyukuk13,819Bonnifield CreekDenali17,337Caused by lightning.Bonanza CreekFairbanks North Star12,576Caused by lightning.Nelchina GlacierMatanuska-Susitna3,9207 Mile LookoutSoutheast Fairbanks4,094Caused by lightning.SusulatnaYukon-Koyukuk3,031Caused by lightning.NowitnaYukon-Koyukuk2,613Caused by lightning.ElephantYukon-Koyukuk9,064Caused by lightning.RedYukon-Koyukuk14,525Caused by lightning.IkheenjikYukon-Koyukuk19,650TurtleYukon-Koyukuk16,337MoldyYukon-Koyukuk72,216Caused by lightning.McArthur CreekSoutheast Fairbanks7,148Caused by lightning.RidgelineSoutheast Fairbanks4,755River TrailSoutheast Fairbanks23,827Caused by lightning.PorphyrySoutheast Fairbanks5,101Caused by lightning.TakomaYukon-Koyukuk19,889Caused by lightning.BirchYukon-Koyukuk4,981Caused by lightning.Goldstream CreekYukon-Koyukuk20,470Saint George CreekDenali29,210Caused by lightning. Three reported residences destroyed.Fish LakeCopper River1,841Caused by lightning.Buckley BarYukon-Koyukuk9,658Caused by lightning.Dry CreekDenali13,268Caused by lightning.Aggie CreekFairbanks North Star34,837Caused by lightning.Live TrapDenali2,503Caused by lightning.ChristianYukon-Koyukuk64,065Caused by lightning.MichiganYukon-Koyukuk1,533Caused by lightning.Salmon TroutYukon-Koyukuk1,303Caused by lightning.Susulatna HillsYukon-Koyukuk8,711Caused by lightning.Pilot CreekYukon-Koyukuk3,694Caused by lightning.Sand LakeSoutheast Fairbanks6,353YellowYukon-Koyukuk7,942Caused by lightning.KeruluNorthwest Arctic1,689Caused by lightning.IkpikpukNorth Slope1,995Caused by lightning.Monte Cristo CreekFairbanks North Star8,772Caused by lightning.Three CastleSoutheast Fairbanks2,134Caused by lightning.RuntYukon-Koyukuk16,018Caused by lightning.MaunelukNorthwest Arctic3,017Caused by lightning.TsukonYukon-Koyukuk1,483Caused by lightning.WheelerYukon-Koyukuk39,209Caused by lightning.PortageYukon-Koyukuk2,900Caused by lightning.KaligurichearkNorthwest Arctic11,493Caused by lightning.NunaNorthwest Arctic15,018Caused by lightning.ReedNorthwest Arctic3,395Caused by lightning.
See also 2025 United States wildfires
Notes
References