Crews working across the Tanana Zone are making steady progress to secure fire lines. Allotment and structure protection remains a primary objective for fire managers and crews on the ground.
Boney Creek Fire (#619) – 45 acres, 36 personnel, started on July 18
Crews have put in saw line and hose lays around the entire Boney Creek Fire perimeter. A cold edge of 50 feet toward the interior of the fire has been established to ensure the security of the fire line. Eight smokejumpers will be demobilized today. The fire is burning about 10 miles southwest of the village of Tanana and about 2 miles southeast of the nearest allotments.
Little Creek Fire (#616) – 135 acres, 77 personnel, started on July 18
Minimal movement has occurred on the lightning-ignited Little Creek Fire. The fire is moving south away from Little Creek, burning through spruce and hardwood. This increases the risk of spot fires. Firefighters are building a 100-foot buffer cleared of fuels to secure the fire’s edge. They are also spraying water on the ground within these buffer zones for added security. A 300-foot buffer will be added in areas with heavier fuel along the fire perimeter.
Grouse Creek (#485) – 22,000 acres, 107 personnel, started on July 10 [includes Twin Ponds (#486) and Garnet Creek Fire (#576, 6,000 acres, started July 15)]
The Grouse Creek and Twin Pond fires are burning about 6 miles northeast of Rampart. On Monday, crews continued work around cabins, structures, allotments and the airstrip to provide protection from a possible increase in fire movement. There is a potential for continued fire growth, dependent on wind speed and direction. Light winds from the north, changing to the south later in the day, are anticipated. The chance of moisture increase today through the next several days. Fire personnel will scout remote cabin locations to the south of the fire and make contact with anyone in residence. The fire is still holding along Hess Creek.
The Garnet Creek Fire, 12 miles southwest of Rampart, is being monitored by the incident management team stationed at Rampart. On Monday, smoke from the fire impacted the community of Rampart and will continue to do so today. If the air clears, a flight is planned to look at the fire perimeter and growth.
Bergman Creek Fire (#312) – 42,300 acres, 8 personnel, started on July 21
The Bergman Creek Fire, located 28 miles southwest of Allakaket, is being monitored. The fire remains 2 to 3 miles from the nearest allotment. The north and northwest sides of the fire are holding in hardwood stands. A helicopter crew is assigned to continue monitoring the fire.
Foraker Fire (#389) – 46,294 acres, 5 personnel, started on June 26
The Foraker Fire, located in Denali National Park, is being monitored as it burns 18 miles west of Kantishna. A flight today will assess fire activity and opportunities for burning operations to ensure structure protection.
Information on wildfire smoke predictions can be found at the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks website located at http://smoke.alaska.edu/.For more information, contact the Alaska Interagency Fire Information Office at (208) 274-3316 or email 2019.AFS.FIRES@gmail.com.
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 