The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection is actively managing numerous new fires in Alaska’s Southwest Area. 20 new fires have been confirmed after Monday’s widespread lightning in the region. Detection flights are planned to check on the location of several more suspected new starts. Fires will be evaluated, prioritized and have resources and suppression strategies assigned.
Wildland fire response by jurisdictional agencies is dictated by several factors including values or life at risk, availability of firefighting resources and suppression area designation. Fires which are located in critical or full suppression areas; near communities, infrastructure, travel corridors, and property values are given priority over those which plot in modified or limited coverage. Modified & limited areas are more remote areas of wilderness with few to no man-made improvements. If a fire in modified or limited does happen to pose a risk to any improvements, a point protection strategy will be adopted to prevent negative impact upon that value. These fires will be allowed to fulfil their natural role in the ecology of the Alaskan landscape, reducing hazardous vegetation build up, recycling nutrients and providing for a more diverse array of plant and animal species.
The Ivy Creek Fire (#156) was reported 15 miles to the northwest of McGrath and 3 miles west of the nearest cabin. 12 smokejumpers were deployed and worked in conjunction with two Fire Boss water scoopers. The fire is 25 acres and 75% active. This fire is burning in a modified suppression management area.
The Eightmile Creek Fire (#171) was reported at 15 acres, aggressively burning in black spruce and mixed hardwoods. This fire is 100% active and burning in continuous fuels with 5-10 mph east winds. This fire is burning in a full suppression management area and 8.5 miles west of Red Devil. No values are immediately threatened.
The Portage Fire (#169) was reported as a 5-acre fire burning in grass and tundra. The fire was 100% active with east winds at 5-15 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. This is a full suppression fire and multiple Native allotments are in the surrounding area. The fire will be staffed with ground resources on Tuesday, June 18.
The Owhat River Fire (#165) was reported by residents of Chuathbaluk. The fire is 700 acres and 70% active, burning with 4-8 foot flame lengths and 5-15 mph east winds gusting to 20 mph. This fire is burning in a modified suppression management area there are no values at risk. The fire will continue to be monitored and firefighting resources will be moved in as they become available.
The South Fork George River Fire (#172) was reported at 5 acres burning in tundra and black spruce. The fire is 100% active with east winds at 5-10 mph and gusts up to 15 mph. This fire is burning in a modified suppression management area and is burning near native allotments. DOF is coordinating with newly arriving resources and plan on staffing fire 172 once available.
The Downey Creek Fire (#170) was reported as a 3-acre fire, 100% actively burning in black spruce and mixed hardwoods with east winds at 5-10 mph. This fire is burning in a modified suppression management area and is 2.5 miles to the south of Georgetown.
The Muskeg Creek Fire (#163) was reported at 0.5 acres 3 miles to the west of Stoney River Lodge. This fire is burning in a modified suppression management area and there is a body of water and wetlands between the lodge and the fire. DOF will continue to monitor this fire and respond as needed.
There are 13 additional fires burning in limited management areas that will continue to be monitored by the Southwest Area DOF office. The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection will continue to share information about the fires in southwest Alaska as it becomes available from reconnaissance flights and ground resources.
For more information on fire management options in Alaska, visit https://forestry.alaska.gov/fire/fireplans.
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 