This wildfire just ignited earlier in the day (June 1), and quickly gained a smoke plume visible for 30-40 miles (35-60 km) distant. Unknown yet how it was started, whether human or lightning caused.

Eastern Interior of Alaska, USA.

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Alaska's first major wildfire of the season, about 30 miles west of Tok in the eastern interior. Lots of resources available, as there are as yet few wildfires. Fire perimeter is estimated at 40% contained.

Warm temperatures, fairly brisk winds daily and humidity factors into the teens have created ideal wildfire conditions in the black spruce boreal forest of Interior Alaska.

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Inversion Mirage in the early morning (4:30 a.m.) haze, smoke from local wildfires. I don't believe I have ever seen this kind of inversion mirage in summer, only in the cold winter months.

The road terrain here is actually flat as the proverbial pancake, it does not rise on the horizon as this mirage seems to suggest.

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Smoke over the Cathedral Mountains due to the Robertson River wildfire near Dot Lake Alaska, west of Tok on the Alaska Highway about 30 miles.

As of today, this wildfire is pretty much a non-event for most of us, it is 85% contained and the active areas have wide firebreaks to 300 feet around them, with water hose lines and pumps in place.

My heartiest thanks to the hard-working men and women who work long hours in harsh conditions to protect natural resources and properties from harm. They will do it again, and again, and move on to the next emergency situation.

This fire is only one of 57 wildfires in the state of Alaska.

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Smoke from wildfires near the Yukon River are filtering into our area, though there are no wildfires nearby. Tis the season

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