Houston, Alaska – Fire personnel are encouraged with little growth in the perimeter of the Sockeye Fire burning north of Willow. The fire is now at 7,555 acres, an increase of 43 acres. Red Flag Warnings for low humidity, with the possibility of dry thunderstorms, remain in effect through this evening for the fire area.
The Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team will hold a community meeting for residents affected by the fire at 7 p.m. tonight at the Houston Middle School.
Firefighting efforts are focused on both the perimeter and interior of the fire. Crews along with heavy equipment are building line along the northern edge of the fire while doing limited burning of vegetation to help secure portions of the western and southern perimeter. In addition, crews are continuing structure protection work in neighborhoods and subdivisions within the fire perimeter.
Firefighters from the Sockeye Fire assisted the Division of Forestry to quickly suppress several small lightning fires that occurred to the north in the Montana Creek area.
The Parks Highway remains open, with traffic led by pilot cars from Mile 63 through Mile 88. Passage through the area is dependent upon fire activity and motorists should expect delays.
Pilots are reminded that a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in place over the Sockeye Fire area. Starting tonight the TFR will be lifted from midnight to 8:30 a.m. to allow access to civilian aircraft. Fire managers will resume operational control of the airspace at 8:30 a.m. Thursday. Additional information about this and other TFRs can be found at http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.jsp.
Fire managers understand that property owners in the Sockeye Fire evacuation area are anxious to see their homes and assess any damage. Unfortunately, there is active fire within the perimeter and current weather conditions can quickly lead to dangerous fire conditions. The Alaska Interagency Incident Management Team greatly appreciates your patience as crews work to protect your homes.
Information about the fire can be found online at:
akfireinfo.com
https://www.facebook.com/#!/AK.Forestry?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Sockeye-Fire/830372740387802?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/MatSuBorough
https://www.facebook.com/BLMAFS
The Incident Command Post is located at the Houston High School. The public is welcome to visit or call for information about the fire at (907) 892-9413 or (907) 892-9450. For a statewide perspective on the current fire situation visit the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center website at http://fire.ak.blm.gov or call Fire Information at 907-356-5511.
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 