Firefighters on Sunday flew the fire and used infrared imaging capabilities to update the fire’s perimeter after it made a 3-mile run Saturday along the Chena Hot Springs River near mile 37.7 Chena Hot Springs Road. The fire, burning in a limited protection area in the Chena River State Recreation Area, is now estimated at 3,077 acres, according to the Alaska Division of Forestry.
The east side of the Nugget Creek Fire backing north toward the Chena River as seen on Sunday, June 30. Photo by Omar Sutherland/Alaska Division of Forestry
Cooler temperatures and precipitation helped slow growth on Sunday. Another recon flight is planned for today. Two engines and four firefighters have been on scene since Saturday monitoring the from Chena Hot Springs Road. On Sunday, the fire was moderately active as it backed down the ridge to the Chena River. The fire remains on the south side of the Chena River and Chena Hot Springs Road. At its closest point, the fire is about one-half mile from Chena Hot Springs Road. Fire managers’ objective is to keep the fire south of the road and river.
Fire scars to the west and east of the fire should potentially limit the spread of the fire in those directions should it reach those areas.
WEATHER: Cooler temperatures are expected today, but a high-pressure system is building back in over the Interior. Temperatures are expected to bounce back near 80 degrees for much of the week.
SAFETY: Due to heavy smoke in the area, motorists are advised to drive with care in the fire area along Chena Hot Springs Road, and to watch for fire apparatus exiting the highway near mile 37.7. For a full daily smoke report, go to http://wildlandfiresmoke.net
A map showing the location and perimeter of the 3,077-acre Nugget Creek Fire burning in the Chena River State Recreation Area. For a downloadable PDF version of the map go to Nugget Creek Fire PDF map July 1
CLOSURES: Alaska State Parks has closed both the Nugget Creek public-use cabin and the Mastodon Trail leading to it until further notice. The trailhead is located at mile 38.6 Chena Hot Springs Road. The Granite Tors Trail at mile 39 is also closed. River access roads at miles 37.7 and 39 have also been closed. For additional information regarding closure in the state rec area contact Alaska State Parks at 451-2695 or by email at brooks.ludwig@alaska.gov. For information on current road conditions, visit http://511.alaska.gov.
INFORMATION: Information about the fire is available on http://www.akfireinfo.com, InciWeb, at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6401/ and information sign boards at mile 23.5, and the turnout at mile 35 Chena Hot Springs Road.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 