June 14, 2014
(Fairbanks, AK) – The Division of Forestry responded to two new fires Saturday just north of Fairbanks. The first fire was reported about 1 PM and is burning in black spruce near Old Murphy Dome Road about seven miles west of the pipeline. A Helitac crew responded from Fairbanks. They were supported by two CL-215 water scooping tankers that made several water drops on the fire, picking up water from the float pond at Fairbanks International Airport and then flying north to the fire. Firefighters held this new fire to two acres, and a 20-person crew will remain at the fire overnight to further secure the fireline. The North Star Volunteer Fire Department is assisting firefighters with a watertender.
The second fire was reported about 2:30 PM Saturday in the area of Farmers Loop Road. This quarter acre fire was also burning in black spruce and firefighters quickly contained it.
All permitted burning is suspended for the remainder of the weekend due to expected gusty winds. The windy conditions will increase the potential for more fires to start if trees are blown onto power lines.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 