Alum Fire Update for April 16, 2026
The Alum Fire in McCreary County is currently estimated at 1,100 acres and 29% containment. The Daniel Boone National Forest and Big South Fork National River & 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.
Over the last two days, firefighters carried out several burnouts—strategic operations where 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—which have successfully reinforced control lines by creating a buffer of burned area around the edge of the fire. Acres burned during those operations are included in the wildfire’s total acreage and account for much of the fire’s growing footprint.
Tomorrow (April 17) fire crews will focus on monitoring existing containment lines and clearing snags—standing trees damaged by the wildfire—from Yahoo Falls Road and State Highway 700.
At present, 85 personnel are supporting wildfire suppression efforts. A Type 2 helicopter capable of dropping 300 gallons, a Type 3 helicopter designed for smaller, more precise water drops and reconnaissance and a bulldozer capable of clearing forestland are assigned to the incident.
The 1,100-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.
Helicopters are 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.
