Cool and damp weather with scattered showers has now moved into the area, but as of Sunday morning, the rainfall has not been sufficient to completely put out all remaining fire. The fire has not grown in size the past week and is now 95 percent contained.

This has been an unusually tough fire season for the state of Alaska. In addition to the hard working Alaskan crews, many resources from the Pacific Northwest and other areas were called to help fight these fires. Several Alaskan crews continue to fight the many fires remaining, but the majority of the crews working on the Deshka Landing fire are from the State of Oregon. Eric Miller, crew superintendent for the Oregon Prineville Interagency Hotshots, leads the 20-person crew. These individuals from diverse backgrounds, train together to form a highly functioning wildland firefighting crew. Currently the hotshots are tasked with working on the spot fires along the southern perimeter. Approximately 2-miles of containment line has been completed in that specific area and crews are working toward mop-up 300 feet within the fire’s edge.

Firefighters remain cautious as the fire area remains a hazardous place for them to work in with ash pits, fire-weakened and unstable trees, and other hazards. Firefighter and public safety remains the highest priority on the Deshka Landing Fire. With the busy holiday ahead, increased traffic is of concern. The public is urged to drive with caution while firefighters and heavy equipment move through the area.

On Friday, The Central Oregon crew and others paused from their regular duties to take part in a Medical Evacuation Drill. Communication practices and physical techniques necessary to transport an injured firefighter off the line were tested. You can view the Medical Evacuation Drill on: https://youtu.be/UdOELUz6VXA.

The Alaska wildfire season has been extended and an emergency burn order closure for both the Kenai Peninsula and Matanuska-Susitna Borough remains in place. For more information go to http://dnr.alaska.gov/.

Private aircraft pilots are reminded that a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) over the Deshka Landing Fire is in effect from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. everyday. Specific information about the TFR can be found at: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_9_5299.html.

Closures:  Game Management Unit 14A and State lands in the area remain closed to public access. The hunting public is respecting the recent closures around the fire area and firefighters continue to work safely without incident. Details on the hunting closure can be found at:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6532/50528/.  

A portion of the Nancy Lake State Recreation Area is also closed to recreation and hunting to avoid safety issues while firefighters working in the area. Last Tuesday, the closure order was modified to open the eastern portion of the Recreation Area. Details are located at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6532/50528. Residents of the Red Shirt Lake community and other areas surrounding the Deshka Landing Fire should remain diligent in their state of readiness.

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Fire Information: (907) 715-9205               
Email:  deshkalandingfireinfo@gmail.com
Web: www.akfireinfo.com
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6532/
Facebook:  Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Acreage: 1,318           Containment:  95% 
Personnel:   217        Cause: Human Caused

Categories: AK Fire Info