Firefighters continue to actively monitor weather patterns to prepare for an increase in fire activity. While higher humidity and lower temperatures reduce fire activity, the fuel type this fire is burning in is highly susceptible to taking off should conditions change. On Sunday, scattered afternoon and evening showers were observed near the fire, however, it’s unknown how much rain actually fell on the Hess Creek Fire area. A weather station in Livengood recorded .76 inches of rain. High relative humidity prevented the #HessCreekFire from making significant runs Sunday. The fire was observed smoldering and creeping along the southern perimeter. The north end is near the North Fork of the Hess Creek and Bear Creek. Crews continue to recheck pumps and sprinkler systems should they be necessary in the upcoming days. Operations is taking advantage of reduced fire activity to orientate new firefighters to the landscape and structures at risk.
Fire Behavior and Weather: Maximum temperatures were near the low 70s with humidity in the low 60s. Winds between 5-15 mph were observed from the southwest. Weather for today is expected to be similar to that of yesterday with isolated thunderstorms affecting portions of the fire with gusty and erratic winds, which could increase fire activity.
Public Awareness: For current road conditions, go to the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities’ 511.alaska.gov website. Stay up-to-date on current air quality information by visiting: https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/Alaska. Although many of the fires within the Interior have received precipitation, a few days of warmer temperatures can easily dry vegetation out making them more susceptible to fire. The public is urged to be cognizant of this fact.
A fire prevention order will remain in place for BLM-managed lands in the Central Yukon Field and BLM Eastern Interior Field Offices. All open pit fires, explosives and fireworks are prohibited on public lands. For updates or additional information about the fire prevention order, contact the BLM Central Yukon Field Office at 907-474-2200 or visit www.blm.gov/afs/fire-restrictions.
Start Date: June 21, 2019
Cause: Lightning
Location: Point of ignition approximately 12 miles northeast of Livengood, AK
Acreage: 170,293
Percent Contained: 0%
Personnel: 78
Hours of operation: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Contact Fire Information: 208-269-4413
Email: HessCreekFire2019@gmail.com
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6404
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLMAFS
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF), BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 