June 30, 2015: 1000 hours
CONTACT: Jim Schwarber, (907) 451-2704, james.schwarber@alaska.gov
INFORMATION RESOURCES:
Fire Info: https://akfireinfo.com/ (907) 356-5511
Forestry Info: http://forestry.alaska.gov
http://www.facebook.com/AK.Forestry
http://twitter.com/ak_forestry http://www.youtube.com/alaskadnrdof
(Tok, AK) –Eight aircraft, including four water scoopers, two Blackhawk helicopters and two lead planes continued their attack on the 1,800 acre Tetlin Hills Fire on Monday. The aircraft are operating out of the Tanacross Air Tanker Base. The aircraft will continue to support firefighting efforts today. Today’s plan is to continue securing the northeast, east, and southeast sides of the fire. The interior of the fire continues to show fire activity with torching of single trees and even a few clusters of trees. Dozers have built 10 miles of line on the fire. The Tetlin Hills fire is eight miles southeast of Tok, and three miles east of the Tok Cutoff road which connects the Alaska Highway to Anchorage.
The Tetlin Hills Fire: was started by a lightning strike on the evening of June 20, 2015. The area affected by the Tetlin Hills Fire includes Tetlin Tribal Lands and the Tanana Valley State Forest. It is 13 miles west of the village of Tetlin, which is not threatened at this time. The fire continues to be a potential threat to the community of Tok.
Area residents and visitors are reminded there is a burn closure in effect in the Tanana Valley. The closure means no open fires of any kind, including campfires, charcoal fires, burn barrels, and of special importance with the approach of July 4th celebrations, NO FIREWORKS. Fuels remain dry in the area, and weather can change rapidly, so avoid tossing lighted cigarettes or matches from vehicles. Keep it inside to protect the outside.
Two Blackhawk helicopters fly out of Tanacross Air Tanker Base on the way to the Tetlin Hills Fire. Photo Credit: Rita Baysinger, Alaska Division of Forestry
Scooper Plane lands at the Tanacross Air Tanker Base to refuel after making water drops on the Tetlin Hills Fire.
Photo Credit: Jim Schwarber, Alaska Division of Forestry
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Categories: Active Wildland Fire
