The North Robertson Fire passed the test of a hot, dry, and breezy day on Thursday afternoon. Crews were spread out along the fireline keeping an eye out for flare-ups that could challenge the containment lines of the wildfire burning along the Alaska Highway about 30 miles northwest of Tok.
The latest perimeter map for the 832-acre North Robertson Fire burning along the Alaska Highway near Tok. The fire is 65 percent contained, as shown by the black line around the perimeter.
Containment is now at 65 percent and the 832-acre fire has not increased in size for several days, according to the Alaska Division of Forestry.
The fire was reported on June 1 about two miles west of the Alaska Highway near Milepost 1350. The fire is believed to be human caused and is under investigation. There were 233 personnel working on the fire as of Friday morning.
Firefighters acted quickly when an interior pocket of unburned vegetation flared-up that had potential for spreading outside the perimeter. With the assistance of a helicopter making water drops, crews were able to eliminate the threat. Personnel are also sling-loading excess and unneeded equipment off the fire as they get closer to reaching their goal of a buffer of 300-feet in from the fire’s edge around the entire perimeter.
Temperatures reached the 80’s Thursday and are forecast to be even hotter today in the Upper Tanana Valley. A burn suspension for the Tok area remains in effect. Open burning and the use of burn barrels are not allowed. Although it is still legal to have campfires less than 3-feet in diameter, forestry fire officials advise you to refrain from doing so until conditions have moderated.
A temporary flight restriction remains in place of the fire and pilots should check with the Federal Aviation Administration before flying in the area. More information on the TFR is available at http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 