Anaconda Creek and West Fork Fires update, July 1

By alaskajointinformationcenter on July 1, 2015

Fire Update – Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Anaconda Creek & West Fork Fires

Fire Information 907-799-5486

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4321/

Facebook: Anaconda Creek Fire

E-mail: anacondacreekfire@gmail.com

Quick Facts

Incident Summary: Approximate Acreage, Anaconda Fire: 1091 acres ; West Fork Fire: 231 acres

Fire Containment: 0%

Incident Commander: Rob Allen

Start Date: June 20, 2015

Cause: Lightning

Total Personnel: 219

Structures Lost: 0

Jurisdiction: Fairbanks North Star Borough

Cooperators: Alaska Division of Forestry, Alaska State Troopers, Bureau of Indian Affairs

Fire behavior increased on the Anaconda Creek Fire on Tuesday, with isolated torching along the fire’s southwest flank. Two hand crews constructed fireline, supported by helicopter bucket drops and fixed-wing water-dropping “scoopers”. Bulldozers and hand crews progressed on a contingency line southwest of the fire.

Two hand crews constructed fireline and mopped up hotspots on the West Fork Fire, fifteen miles northeast of the Anaconda Fire. Both fires are being managed by Alaska’s Type 2 Incident Management Team, based at the Peasant Valley Community Center on Chena Hot Springs Road.

Wetting rain is expected today, with a return to hot and dry weather beginning Thursday and continuing through the holiday weekend.

Closures remain in effect for all trails and cabins north of Chena Hot Springs Road in the Chena River State Recreation Area. All trails south of Chena Hot Springs Road are open. Chena Hot Springs and local businesses remain open. Motorists along Chena Hot Springs Road are advised to use caution in areas where fire crews and equipment are working.

For more information about closures, please contact Brooks Ludwig at (907) 451-2698, or brooks.ludwig@alaska.gov.

Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) are now in effect over the Anaconda Creek Fire and the West Fork Fire. Pilots are advised to visit http://www.pilotweb.nas.faa.gov to view these Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), and additional TFRs also in place across Alaska.

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