Beaver, Alaska – Firefighters continued the same work on Tuesday as they have for the last few days – holding and improving line already built and watching for opportunities to conduct burnout operations on Conucopia Complex fires.
Burnouts remove fuel like timber and brush ahead of the fire to reduce the likelihood it will advance with a change in weather or wind. The incident management team would like to ensure, before they leave, that allotments and other values east of the Hadweenzic River Fire and north of the Chandalar River Fire, are safe. The best way to do that is to burn any vegetation between the fire and the sites, structures and Native allotments being protected.
The east end of the Hadweenzic River Fire was fairly active Tuesday with the warming and drying caused by winds and low humidity. The same drying caused an increase in activity on the southeast perimeter of the Chandalar River Fire Tuesday. Due to this, satellite imagery picked up hot spots on both fires. Because today’s forecast includes continued dry conditions with humidity around 35%, the fire is expected to continue to be active. However, there is an increased chance of precipitation and cooler temperatures tonight and Thursday.
Today, crew shuttles will continue as firefighters head home and are replaced. Crews will continue building line around the bible camp allotment for several more days. Firefighters on the Hadweenzic River Fire will continue to hold and wait for an opportunity to burn, as well as assess the best way to downsize and begin pulling equipment off the fire. Firefighters on the Chandalar River Fire used an aerial Plastic Sphere Dispenser Tuesday to conduct a firing operation. About one half mile of line was completed before the wind changed and the operation was halted. Firefighters will conduct burn operations on all fires when weather allows.
A Temporary Flight Restriction remains in place for the Hadweenzic River and Tony Slough fires. Go to https://tfr.faa.gov for more information on the TFR.
Click on link for PDF version of the update 7-31 Cornucopia Complex Update.
Complex acreage: 91,200
Complex personnel: 353
Hadweenzic River Fire: 61,290 acres
Chandalar River: 11,202 acres
Portland NIMO Incident Commander: Bea Day
Information Officer: Kris Eriksen
Email: c.complex2019@gmail.com
Map of Cornucopia Complex Fires on July 31, 2019. Click on link 20190731_Map for PDF version of map.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 