The Tanana Zone reports significant growth on all fires on Monday, with more anticipated in the upcoming days to the continued hot, dry conditions. Winds will be generally light today from the northeast to east, but will shift to northwest as a low moves over the northern interior. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms today as firefighters are preparing for windier conditions on Wednesday. The increased winds will likely also contribute to continued fire growth in the near future.

There are 15 active fires within the Tanana Zone that encompasses the northerly middle third of Alaska. A total of 22 fires have burned 55,891 acres in this zone so far this season.

A brief status report of each of the three more significant fires within the Tanana Zone follows:

Lloyd Mountain Fire (#361) – This fire Lloyd Mountain Fire is located 20 miles southeast of Lloyd Mountain, on the east side of the Cosna River and south of Manley Hot Springs. Fire pushed against the Cosna River yesterday, and helicopter water drops helped keep it from crossing the river. The fire also backed toward the north, where structure protection is in place for cabins located further to the north. The fire has burned 16,239 acres. More fire growth is expected in the upcoming days with the continued hot, dry conditions. There are 20 firefighters assigned to this fire.

Foraker Fire (#389) – This fire is located to the east of Birch Creek, approximately 22 miles west of Kantishna in the Denali National Park. Fire moved both to the east and to the west. The five firefighters assigned to the fire are preparing to ignite vegetation between the fire and the cabins at Birch Creek and Slippery Creek if smoke conditions allow for aerial support. Acreage burned to date is 13,370 acres.

Bergman Creek Fire (#312) – The Bergman Creek Fire, 28 miles southwest of Allakaket, is 10,889 acres. Active fire behavior was reported on all sides of the fire Monday afternoon. Fifteen smokejumpers are continuing to expand allotment protection to the north and east as the fire continues backing to the northeast. There are a total of 24 personnel working on the fire.

Multiple sources of information on smoke are located on the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center Air Quality web page.

For more information, contact the Alaska Interagency Fire Information Office at (907)356-5511 or email 2019.AFS.FIRES@gmail.com

Click 7-9-19 Tanana Zone update for PDF version of update.

Categories: AK Fire Info