Fire activity has increased on the Shovel Creek Fire burning northwest of Fairbanks near Murphy Dome. At the recommendation of the incident commander of the Alaska Type 2 Green Incident Management Team the Fairbanks North Star Borough has issued a “Level 1: Ready” evacuation notice for residents in the following areas:
- Martin subdivision
- McCloud subdivision
- Murphy subdivision
- Perfect Perch
- Lincoln Subdivision
- Chatanika River corridor.
A Level 1 evacuation status is not an evacuation order but a notice that residents should be ready for a potential evacuation. Residents in the above areas should be aware of the situation and take any necessary steps to be ready for additional future fire growth. Though it won’t be staffed tonight, people with questions about the evacuation advisory can call the borough emergency operations center at (907) 459-1308 or go to the Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Operations Facebook page. People who have questions regarding fire activity can call the Shovel Creek Fire information office at (907) 347-6801.
A wind shift Monday afternoon pushed the fire east and it spotted over the 7 Mile Trail, which was being used as a containment line. Air tankers and water-scooping aircraft dropped retardant and water on and around the fire to slow any fire spread to the east.
With winds decreasing and temperatures cooling in the evening, fire managers expect fire activity to lessen overnight. Firefighters are currently working both the east and west flanks to strengthen containment lines.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 