Iniakuk Lake Fire and Weather, Brooks Range, Alaska

Barometer 30.2, temperature 52 degrees. Ceiling 6000' slight overcast with smoke. Visibility 5 miles with dense smoke. Slight north wind.

Iniakuk Fire Update: Yesterday BLM AFS smokejumpers started a backfire at the east Native allotment property. It was 89 degrees with a brisk northwest wind (very unusual). One spot got away from them, the helicopter based at Iniakuk Lodge flew to the scene and dropped bucket after bucket of water.

Through the smoke blanketing the lake I can see huge columns of smoke curling up from the east ridge fire. It ramped up due to the hot temperatures and wind. We are next for a backburn which is inevitable unless it rains and slows the fire.