Delta Area fire Update; July 23

By alaskajointinformationcenter on July 23, 2015

Delta Area Fire Update
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Fire Information Officer – 907-244-9376
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. Please contact the area information officer, Celeste Prescott, with any additional questions or concerns.

Blair, AFS: The lightning-caused Blair Fire is now 41,290 acres. On July 22, winds out of the east and north helped keep the fire from advancing towards the 5-mile Clear Creek community. The fire was observed creeping and smoldering, with some single tree torching on July 22. The Unaweep Wildland Fire Module has completed the improvements and mapping of the secondary access to structures located along the ATV trails. In addition, the module performed a successful burnout around the military survival cabin that’s located to the north of the fire and are mopping up around the cabin today. On July 24, the Unaweep Module will transition the fire to local fire personnel that will remain in the 5-mile community and work to refine the structure protection plan. Fire officials will continue aerial monitoring of the fire perimeter. With the return of warmer and dryer weather, 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. The Type 3 team that is managing the Michigan Creek, Healy Lake, and Healy River Fires will be transitioning the fires to a Type 4 organization on July 25. No smokes were seen on the fire when it was flown on July 22. The local Delta Power Squad continues to grid for hotspots along cabin site perimeters and is pulling hose from the southwest side of the lake.

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. No smokes were seen when the fire was flown on July 22. Fire personnel will continue to monitor the fire by air. Fire official’s primary concerns are the cultural and historic sites to the southwest of the fire.

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

After A Wildfire Concerns: When returning to or recreating in an area recently effected by fire, please be aware of the changes to the landscape. Trees that burnt during the fire but are still standing can fall with the slightest of winds. Burnt vegetation and roots may continue to smolder below ground and create white ash pits that if stepped in could cause severe burns. Orange retardant that was used to protect valuables is non-toxic but may stain and should be cleaned up as soon as possible. For more detailed information visit http://fire.ak.blm.gov.

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