The smoke column produced by the North Eielson Fire off Tanana Loop Extension in Delta Junction on Friday afternoon. Alaska Division of Forestry photo
Firefighters from the Division of Forestry and local fire departments are battling a wind-driven wildfire in the Delta Junction area that was caused by a tree falling on a powerline.
The North Eielson Fire was reported to the Division Forestry office in Delta at about 1:15 p.m. Friday off Tanana Loop Extension northeast of Delta Junction. The fire started in timber but spotted into a grassy field and spread quickly in high winds.
There are no evacuations in effect and no structures have burned.
The fire slowed down when it ran into timber, giving firefighters a chance to formulate a plan of attack. The fire was estimated at 20-30 acres as of 2:30 p.m.
Multiple forestry engines from Delta, Fairbanks and Tok are responding to the fire, along with an air retardant tanker from Palmer. The air tanker has dropped at least one load of retardant and is still on scene to make more drops if needed.
A load of eight smokejumpers from the Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service was enroute to the fire by van and the White Mountain Type 2 Initial Attack Crew from Fairbanks and the Gannett Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew and Pioneer Peak Interagency Hotshot Crew from Palmer were also driving to the fire.
There is a burn suspension in effect in the Delta area today due to the high winds.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF), Fire Prevention
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 