July 11, 2015
Contact: Public Information Officer: Peri Suenram
Phone: 907-987-9838
What: Galena Zone Fires
Cause: Lightning
Location: A series of fires are located on both sides of the Yukon River within the Galena Fire Management Zone and the western end of the Tanana Zone, stretching over 150 river miles from east to west.
The major firefighting efforts at this time are concentrated on 3 fires on the south side of the Yukon River near the village of Ruby and on 1 fire near the village of Nulato.
Fire Names: The following fires are now being reported in the daily Incident Status Summary (ICS-209) as:
“Middle Yukon Fires”:
Nulato #458 (41662 acres),
Ruby Slough #423 (49 acres),
Bruno Creek #479 (14525 acres), and
Big Creek Two #533 (296713 acres).
The Eldorado #576, Kaiyuh #351, and Sulatna #429 fires are in a monitoring status.
Size: Approximately 353,000 acres.
CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK AT GALENA FIRES
Nulato Fires: Suppression repair of ¼ mile of dozer line and mapping of areas where retardant was dropped for future monitoring was nearly completed on Friday. Today the Nulato 1 crew continues to monitor the fire and is mopping up, suppressing hot spots, and removing hose lays. There is a public meeting scheduled for Monday at noon at the Nulato school.
Ruby Fires: Fire activity and perimeters are predicted to increase on Saturday because of warmer weather and lower humidity trends on Galena Zone fires. Yesterday the Bruno Fire grew by about 1000 acres and Big Creek Two was static. Today, fire imagery programs are already detecting developing heat on the west side of the Big Creek Two Fire. Firefighting resources are poised to take all necessary suppression actions. Crews will attempt to burn out areas to the west of the Atchley Cabin with the objective of creating defensible space. This action will reduce the need for long term commitment of resources to protect those structures. The Ruby firefighting crew is mopping up the Ruby Slough fire area and is expected to finish that work tomorrow. Firefighters continue to patrol Poorman Road to suppress flareups in the area and to monitor cabin protection. Structure assessment and protection activities are continuing along the Yukon and Nowitna River banks. The public is urged to limit travel on Poorman Road, which is experiencing active fire and will have increased fire traffic today, to minimize conflicts with the firefighting forces.
Other Galena Zone Fires: The Galena Zone BLM personnel are closely monitoring fires in the zone. Structure protection plans are in place for any fires that threaten private property.
There is a Notice to Airmen in effect for a 25 mile radius around the village of Ruby. For other areas, please see and avoid air traffic around fires.
Weather: Isolated showers will continue to be a possibility. The forecasted warmer weather and lower humidity is anticipated to remain over the area contributing to active fire behavior and growth. Smoke is a possibility today with the expected increased fire activity and burnout operations on both the Galena and Tanana Zones.
Contact Us: galenafires2015@gmail.com or http://inciweb.gov/incident/4327/
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Categories: Active Wildland Fire
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 