Thunderstorms on Sunday produced nearly 7,000 lighting strikes statewide, with a heavy concentration in Southwest Alaska. Many of these storms brought wetting rains but were scattered and missed several of the more than 100 active fires across the state. There are 31 active fires in Southwest Alaska. Monday will have the same weather pattern as Sunday with the potential for a substantial amount of lightning forecast. There is a high probability of holdover fires.
Lightning is responsible for one new start in the southwest. Multiple residents of Igiugig, west of Iliamna Lake, reported the lighting strike and ensuing smoke. An Aerial Supervision Module confirmed the Kaskanak Creek Fire (#232) burning in a full response area 3 miles northwest of Igiugig. Smokejumpers responded from their base at Fort Wainwright but were unable see any smoke or find a burned area and returned to base. Rain associated with passing thunderstorms may have extinguished the fire. Fire managers will request reconnaissance of the area and stay in touch with residents of Igiugig should the fire rekindle.
The American Creek Fire (#143) that started from a lightning strike on June 16 is burning in a limited response area 25 miles northeast of King Salmon, between Nonvianuk Lake to the north and Lake Coville to the south. A reconnaissance flight reported the fire to be an estimated 2,000 acres and active on the north and west sides with primary growth to the west. This fire is creating a very visible column from the surrounding area and across the Cook Inlet. Fire managers are aware of the fire and are monitoring it. It is not immediately threatening any valuable assets and will be allowed to progress as a natural part of the landscape.
Below is an update of action taken Sunday on fires managed by the Type 3 organization in Southwest Alaska now known as the Red Devil Group. Personnel assigned and acreages have been updated to reflect the most recent numbers.
Cribby Creek Fire (#201) – 3 miles north of Red Devil is burning in a modified response area and is estimated to be 400 acres with 10% containment. 28 personnel assigned. The fire received heavy rain and some lightning. Several interior smokes were visible. Crews have completed 45% of their saw line on the southern portion of the fire, the most active portion of the fire due to recent north winds. There is not a nearby water source making pumps and hose lay systems impractical. The helicopter assigned to the Red Devil Group is available for bucket drops to support firefighters on the ground.
South Fork George River Fire (#172) – 8.5 miles northeast of Georgetown in a modified response area and is estimated to be 5,043 acres. Satellite monitoring shows no new heat signatures or growth. The Red Devil Group is monitoring this fire and will be evaluating values near the fire perimeter.
Portage Fire (#169) – 5.5 miles southwest of Georgetown, south of the Kuskokwim River, in a full response area and is estimated to be 1,500 acres. Firefighters are constructing an indirect fireline to protect Native allotments near the perimeter. Once completed, they will look for opportunities to go direct on the fire’s edge to stop its spread.
Additional active fires in Southwest Alaska follow with Saturday updates to suppression efforts, personnel, and acreage.
Crater Mountain Fire (#206) – 18 miles west of Takotna between Ganes and Beaver creeks, is burning in a full response area and is estimated to be 1,000 acres. The 12 smokejumpers have completed their structure protection preparation for the Ganes Creek Mine, 3 miles north of the fire. Fire activity has moderated with little spread. The smokejumpers will demobilize from the fire Monday. Should the fire advance towards the mine, helitack will be dispatched to the mine to start the pumps and sprinklers in place that are part of the structure protection setup.
Flat Creek Fire (#178) – 1.75 miles south of Flat mining area airstrip in a full response area, estimated to be 36 acres. Firefighters made a final grid the fire and found no areas of heat. The fire is contained, controlled, and called out. All personnel were released from the fire. This will be the final update to this fire.
Ivy Creek Fire (#156) – 14.5 miles north of McGrath in a modified response area and is estimated to be 70 acres with 98% containment. 27 personnel assigned. The fire received light precipitation as firefighters continue to increase their mopped-up area to 100 feet wide into the burned area along the fire’s perimeter. Excess equipment, supplies, and trash are being prepared for backhaul in anticipation of demobilization in the next few days.
There are 23 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 response management options in Alaska, visit https://forestry.alaska.gov/fire/fireplans.
For more information on active fires in Alaska, read the daily Alaska Interagency Coordination Center Situation Report found online here, https://fire.ak.blm.gov/content/aicc/sitreport/AICC%20Situation%20Report.pdf
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 