Firefighters on the Ninetyeight Creek Fire (#391) spent Independence Day strengthening fire containment lines. Total acreage burned has held steady at 69 acres for several days, but containment has now increased to 15%.
A ridge of high pressure is building over the area which will cause the temperature to increase and the relative humidity to decrease each day through Sunday. The ridge will remain in place
into next week.
“No smokes are showing fifteen feet into the interior, but the warming trend will determine how much heat is left in the fire,” explained Jonah Gladney, Field Operation Section
Chief.
Over two and a half miles of hoses and four portable water pumps are being put to work by five crews to reinforce containment lines. Two helicopters are also being used to transport
personnel, cargo, and provide water.
Most of the firefighters have been in a remote camp since arriving. They ate military-style rations, or Meals-Ready-to-Eat (MREs), for the first three days of their assignment, but received fresh food just in time for the Fourth of July which was delivered by paracargo.
A Temporary Flight Restriction remains in place over the fire.
For more information, contact the Alaska Interagency Fire Information Office at (907)356-5511 or email 2019.AFS.FIRES@gmail.com.
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 