Update 12:05 a.m. – This will be the final update of the evening.
A wildfire approximately 10 miles southwest of the community of Anderson off the Parks Highway forced the evacuation of two remote subdivisions late Thursday night. Residents in Anderson were also told to be prepared to leave their homes on short notice.
As of 11:30 p.m., there was no confirmation that any homes had been burned but multiple residences were threatened by the fire. Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Division of Forestry personnel and firefighting personnel from local fire departments were on scene assisting with evacuation and structure protection efforts.
Residents in the Kobe Ag and Anderson subdivisions near Mile 275 of the Parks Highway have been issued a “Level 3: Go” evacuation order to leave their homes. A “Level 2: Set” evacuation alert has been issued for the City of Anderson and the surrounding area, which is about 10 miles northeast of the fire.
The Kobe Fire was estimated at 600 acres at last report. A storm cell moved over the fire at around 11 p.m., prompting firefighters to pull off the line due to gusty, erratic winds. Rain was falling on the fire and west winds were pushing the head of the fire back on itself. Firefighters were waiting until conditions were safe to move back into the fire area.
The fire started approximately 2 ½ miles west of the Parks Highway and Nenana River between Miles 275-276 but had advanced to within 1 ½ miles of the river as of 11 p.m.
Because of low visibility due to dense smoke in the area from multiple fires burning across the Interior, aircraft were not able to make water or retardant drops, or to get a better look at the fire from the air.
Firefighters from the Alaska Division of Forestry and the Anderson, Tri-Valley and McKinley volunteer fire departments, as well as the Clear Air Force Station fire department, are on scene and more resources are on the way. Eight smokejumpers and two hotshot crews – the Sawtooth (Idaho) Hotshots and Warm Springs (Oregon) Hotshots – were en route from Fairbanks. With aircraft grounded due to smoke, smokejumpers and crews had to drive to the fire from Fairbanks.
More resources are being pulled from other fires to respond to the emerging situation. A crew and two engines that were scheduled to work the night shift on the Shovel Creek Fire about 20 miles northwest of Fairbanks were sent to the Kobe Fire and will be on patrol overnight. Two more crews – the Fairbanks-based DOF White Mountain Type 2 Initial Attack Crew and the Dalton Hotshots from California – will be arriving on the fire Friday morning from the Montana Creek and Malaspina fires
Evacuation shelters have been set up at the Tri-Valley School in Healy and the Nenana School in Nenana. A call center has been set up at the Denali Borough and the number is 907-683-1330.
Map of Kobe Fire near Anderson on July 11, 2019. Click on PDF 7-11-19 Kobe Fire for PDF version of map.
Update 10:50 p.m.
The Kobe Wildfire approximately 10 miles south of the City of Anderson has grown to an estimated 600 acres and forced the evacuation of two remote subdivisions closest to the fire.
Residents in the Kobe and Anderson subdivisions near Mile 275 of the Parks Highway have been issued a “Level 3: Go” evacuation order to leave their homes. A “Level 2: Set” evacuation alert has been issued for the City of Anderson and the surrounding area, which is about 10 miles northeast of the fire. A “Level 2: Set” evacuation alert means that residents should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice.
Evacuation shelters have been set up at the Tri-Valley School in Healy and the Nenana School in Nenana. A call center has been set up at the Denali Borough and the number is 907-683-1330.
The fire is located approximately 2 ½ miles west of the Parks Highway and Nenana River between Miles 275-276 and approximately 10 miles southwest of the City of Anderson.
Multiple structures are being threatened by the fire and firefighters are focused on making sure residents in those structures are evacuated and safe.
Because of low visibility due to dense smoke in the area from multiple fires burning across the Interior, the Alaska Division of Forestry has not been able to use aircraft to make water or retardant drops, or to get a better look at the fire from the air.
Firefighters from the Alaska Division of Forestry and the Anderson, Tri-Valley and McKinley volunteer fire departments, as well as the Clear Air Force Station fire department are on scene and more resources are on the way. Eight smokejumpers and two hotshot crews – the Sawtooth Hotshots and Warm Springs Hotshots – are en route from Fairbanks. The Sawtooth Hotshots had been released from the Chandalar Fire near Venetie and were preparing to head home to the Lower 48 when they got the call to respond.
Smokejumpers and crews are driving to the fire because aircraft are unable to fly due to low visibility caused by smoke from multiple fires burning across the Interior.
The fire was reported at 6:45 p.m. and at last report had grown to an estimated 50-100 acres. The fire is burning in black spruce and exhibiting extreme fire behavior, including running, torching and crowning. The fire is spotting one-quarter to one-half mile in front of itself.
Update 10:05 p.m.
Firefighters are battling a rapidly growing wildfire near the community of Anderson and a mandatory evacuation order has been issued for Kobe Ag Subdivision off the Parks Highway near Mile 275.
Residents in the Anderson Subdivision have been placed on a “Level 2: Set” evacuation alert, which means they should be ready to leave on short notice, if necessary.
The fire is located approximately 2 ½ miles west of the Parks Highway and Nenana River between Miles 275-276 and 10 miles southwest of the City of Anderson.
Multiple structures are being threatened by the fire and firefighters are focused on making sure residents in those structures are evacuated and safe.
Firefighters from the Alaska Division of Forestry and the Anderson, Tri-Valley and McKinley volunteer fire departments are on scene and more resources are on the way. Eight smokejumpers and two hotshot crews – the Sawtooth Hotshots and Warm Springs Hotshots – are en route from Fairbanks. The Sawtooth Hotshots had been released from the Chandalar Fire near Venetie and were preparing to head home to the Lower 48 when they got the call to respond.
Smokejumpers and crews are driving to the fire because aircraft are unable to fly due to low visibility caused by smoke from multiple fires burning across the Interior.
The fire was reported at 6:45 p.m. and at last report had grown to an estimated 50-100 acres. The fire is burning in black spruce and exhibiting extreme fire behavior, including running, torching and crowning. The fire is spotting one-quarter to one-half mile in front of itself.
Update 9:25 p.m.
There is NOT a mandatory evacuation for the City of Anderson. The Kobe Ag Subdivision off Kobe Road is being evacuated and a “Level 2: Set” evacuation alert has been issued for the Anderson subdivision. A “Level 2: Set” alert means residents should be able ready to leave on short notice. We will provide more information as we get it.
- Map of Kobe Fire burning near Kobe Ag Road and Anderson Road on July 11, 2019.
The Alaska Division of Forestry is responding to a rapidly growing wildfire near the community of Anderson west of the Parks Highway. A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for the community of Anderson and the surrounding 10-mile radius.
The fire was reported at 6:45 p.m. and at last report had grown to an estimated 50-100 acres. With flame lengths of 10-20 feet. The fire was running and torching with 20-foot flame lengths. Resources are enroute to the fire and Alaska State Troopers are on scene assisting with evacuations..
If you live in the area please evacuate. We will provide more information as it comes in.
For more information contact the Alaska Interagency Fire Information Office at (907)356-5511.
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Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 