Delta Area Fire updates, July 18

By alaskajointinformationcenter on July 18, 2015

Delta Area Fire Update
Saturday, July 18, 2015

Fire Information Office – 907-356-5511

HealyLakeFireInfo@gmail.com
Hours of Operation: 7:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M.
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
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Fire Information:

Overview
The Alaska Division of Forestry and The Alaska Fire Service are managing numerous fires around the Delta Junction area. Fire updates will be produced and disseminated as fire activity warrants. Celeste Prescott will be taking a day off on Sunday, July 19. Please contact Kale Casey with the Alaska Interagency Joint Information Center at the number above for any additional information on Delta area fires.

Blair, AFS
The lightning-caused Blair Fire was more accurately mapped at 40,801 acres. The last significant growth was seen Monday, July 13, when the fire exhibited active and extreme fire behavior. Wetting rains and cooler temperatures have drastically slowed the fire activity. Fire personnel observed minimal activity from the Flaghill Lookout on July 17, and it began raining that evening. Fire officials will continue to review and assess the perimeter of the fire. The structures located at the 5-mile Clear Creek community, approximately 3 miles away, have complete structure protection in place. Additional structures in the Salcha and Harding Lake areas are being assessed as a precaution and to update Forestry’s known structure database. The Unaweep Wildland Fire Module remains in place to provide structure protection along with improving and mapping secondary access to structures located along the ATV trails. Fire activity and smoke may be visible at times from the Alaska and Richardson highways from east of Delta to Fairbanks.

Healy Lake, DOF
The Healy Lake Fire was started on June 16 by lightning. The fire was last mapped at 11,473 acres. A local Type 3 team is in place to manage the Michigan Creek, Healy Lake, and Healy River Fires along with monitoring other fires in the area. The Delta Power Squad continues to search out and extinguishing hotspots on the western perimeter and has begun assessing native allotments.

Michigan Creek, DOF
The Michigan Creek Fire started on June 17, approximately 38 miles northeast of Delta Junction. The fire is 9,937 acres with a spot fire to the south mapped at 562 acres. Heat was detected via an infrared camera on July 16. Multiple locations in the primary fire perimeter and spot fire were showing significant heat. Fire officials will continue to monitor it by air. Primary concerns are the cultural and historic sites to the southwest of the fire.

La Grande, AFS
The La Grande Fire had only one area of heat showing via infrared camera when it was last flown and has received rain since then. The hose lays and pumps that are in place for structure protection will be removed over the next couple of shifts when aircraft and personnel are available.

Other Area Fires
The Division of Forestry and Alaska Fire Service are monitoring numerous other fires in the area. Fire personnel fly these fires when the weather and aircraft availability permits.

Statewide Fire Info
For information about fires statewide visit http://www.akfireinfo.com or call the Alaska Interagency Information Center at 907-356-5511.

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