Updated 03/02/2026 at 5:00 p.m.
A large grass fire is spreading on a hillside above Captains Bay Road in Unalaska.
Unalaska Fire Chief Ben Knowles said in a Monday afternoon statement that fire crews are still working to contain the blaze, but “challenging topography and ongoing wind conditions have made control efforts and access to the fire area difficult.”
Knowles said when the department responded to the fire around 1 p.m. Monday, they encountered a “wind-driven vegetation fire” headed in a south, southwest direction, away from town. The fire is burning above Westward Seafoods in Pyramid Valley, about two miles from downtown Unalaska. Officials did not say how big the fire had grown as of Monday afternoon.
Various community organizations and partners are helping with fire monitoring and suppression efforts with additional water trucks, personnel and unmanned aircraft systems, according to the statement.
As of Monday afternoon, no structures have been impacted, but several in the area are being closely monitored.
Knowles urges locals to avoid the area and stay tuned for any updates or potential hazardous conditions via the Nixle alert system.
This is a developing story.
Original
A large grass fire is spreading above Captains Bay Road in Unalaska.
According to Unalaska Chief of Police Kim Hankins, the roughly three-mile gravel road is closed to traffic while fire crews respond.
The City of Unalaska said in a Nixle alert Monday afternoon that the fire is spreading due to wind.
Hankins urges locals to avoid the area until it is safe.
This is a developing story.
