Alum Fire Update for April 15, 2026
The Alum Fire in McCreary County is currently estimated at 990 acres and 10% containment. The Daniel Boone National Forest and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area are jointly managing this Type 3 incident under Unified Command with a full suppression strategy. Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority in managing this fire.
Today, fire crews carried out a burnout operation to reinforce the northwestern control line and further protect Big South Fork NRRA. During this operation, firefighters intentionally set a fire inside the control line to consume fuel (brush, logs, grass) between the advancing edge of the fire and the control line. This burn operation created a buffer of burned area around the edge of the fire to help secure the area.
At present, 68 personnel are supporting wildfire suppression efforts. A Type 2 helicopter capable of dropping 300 gallons and a bulldozer capable of clearing forestland are also assigned to the incident.
The 990-acre wildfire is located between Big South Fork NRRA and Highway 27 near Alum Boat Dock and Yahoo Falls.
Yahoo Arch Trail, Yahoo Falls Road, and a portion of State Highway 700 (Alum Road) are currently closed. We anticipate additional road and trail closures along Alum Road and within the Yahoo Falls area as suppression operations progress. Please avoid the impacted area and give fire crews and aviation resources space to operate safely.
A helicopter is providing aerial support for suppression efforts. If a drone is spotted in the vicinity, we will be forced to ground all aerial support for the safety of the pilot. Help keep our wildland firefighters safe by treating all fire operations as a #NoDroneZone.
