Firefighter uses flare gun to ignite fuels in a successful defensive burning operation

A wildland firefighter working on an Initial Attack fires a flare gun in the vicinity of Lime Village, Alaska, to ignite fuels during defensive burning operations. The operation went as planned and Lime Village was protected from the lightning caused wildfires that were threatening it. Without the use of strategic defensive firing operations, homes and infrastructure would likely have been impacted, damaged or destroyed. 2022 Lime Complex Summary - Western Alaska Lightning Caused Wildfires The Lime Complex consisted of eight staffed lightning caused wildfires and ten unstaffed lightning caused wildfires. The total size of the combined fires was 715,595 acres. There were 198 firefighters assigned to the complex. All of these fires were lightning caused. All unstaffed fires were monitored for growth and potential threats to identified values. Highlights: Resources were engaged in structure protection near values at risk as well as evaluating opportunities to slow fire spread with line construction and aerial resources. All defensive and offensive operations were successful, protecting homes, tourist locations, village infrastructure and human lives. Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection Social Media Sites 👉 @AlaskaDNRDOF 👉 👉 👉 Visit 👉 for current job openings Visit 👉 for upcoming trainings #WildlandFireTraining | #AKDNR | #AKDOF Background: Staffed Fires in the 2022 Lime Complex North Point Protection Group consists of the South Lime Lake Fire (#190)/Swift River Fire (#228), Door Mountain Fire (#244), Door Creek Fire (#273) and the Hook Creek Fire (#188) - 149,023 combined acres. Defensive firing operations to protect structures north of Fire #228 were conducted while conditions were favorable, and firefighters are mopping up the area today. Crews continue to engage in pre-treating areas ahead of fire growth to slow spread and defend values at risk in the Lyman and the Lime Village areas, as well as near Stony River, Trout Lake and Tundra Lake. Pike Creek (#239)/Koktuli River (#240) - 258,693 combined acres, Lightning start. The fire is 35 miles north of Iguigig. Several fingers of continuous fuel having been burning together and producing more smoke in the area, which impacts firefighting efforts as aerial resources are unable to fly and visibility is reduced. Firefighters are working to secure structures with sprinklers and hose lays, as well as slowing fire growth with water drops along the Mulchatna River. Aghaluk Mountain (#206) - 116,342 acres, Lightning start, point protection and structure protection are ongoing. The fire remains 51 miles east of Aniak. Resources from this fire are providing support to fire #228 as well as planning for future threats in the area. Unstaffed Fires Dummy Creek Fire (#247) ~ 178 acres; Cabin Creek Fire (#193) ~ 74 acres; Gagaryah River Fire (#197) ~ 38,184 acres; Kiknik Fire (245) ~ 45,734 acres; Maka Creek Fire (#207) ~ 1 acre; Nushagak River Fire (#189) ~ 10 acres; Stony River Fire (#198) ~ 38,243 acres; Telaquana River Fire (#216) ~ 7,791 acres; Titnuk Creek Fire (#246) ~ 53,291 acres; Upper Talarik (#205) ~ 8,030 acres