Start Date: 06/05/2020
Location: 17 miles SW of Stevens Village, AK, near Dalton Highway and Yukon River
Cause: Lightning
Fire Size: 12,180 acres
Containment: 69%
Total Personnel: 249
(FAIRBANKS, Alaska) – Work continues even as management of the Isom Creek Fire downsized from the Alaska Incident Management Type 2 Black team to a Type 3 BLM Alaska Fire Service organization today. An infrared (IR) flight is scheduled today to map the fire and indicate any spots still actively burning. Results of the IR flight will guide management of the fire during the coming week.
Wetting rains over the past several days have reduced fire behavior. Winds forecast for early this week will dry fuels, but high relative humidity is expected to keep fire behavior low. Current weather conditions are reducing the likelihood of a planned burnout operation along the eastern and southern boundaries. If warm, dry weather returns and fire threatens to spread, the eastern edge is prepared for a burnout to secure the line. This burn operation will remove the burnable vegetation in between the fire perimeter and an indirect hand line and help bring the fire closer to containment goals. The fire is 69% contained. Native allotments and structures in the river corridor are secured and mopped up.
Fire crews began suppression repair activities on the west side of the fire along the Dalton Highway. Firefighters are increasing safety by cutting stumps lower and removing sharp stubs cut during the fire response, leaving the land in a more natural state. Flagging and other evidence of human activity is being removed as crews patrol for hot spots. They are also looking for opportunities to reduce erosion and minimize damage caused by firefighting efforts.
Fire crews patrolling the boundary of the fire Sunday did not locate any smoke. If hotspots are located today and can safely be approached, firefighters will extinguish them.
The Alaska Division of Forestry Pioneer Peak Hotshot Crew is scheduled to demobilize today, leaving four crews on the fire supported by engines, air support and a boat transporting crews along the Yukon River.
The Dalton Highway remains open to travel, with traffic control as needed for smoke conditions or in support of firefighting efforts. The Five Mile Campground near the Yukon Bridge on the Dalton Highway remains closed to public access; it is reserved for crews fighting the Isom Creek Fire. The Yukon River Camp north of the Yukon River Bridge at milepost 56 is open for food, fuel and lodging.
The fire reached the Trans-Alaska Pipeline; however, it is not damaged as it was designed to withstand wildfires.
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in place over the fire and some of the surrounding area to provide a safe operating environment for firefighting aircraft.
The Isom Creek Fire was started by lightning on June 5 and is burning south of the Yukon River east of the Dalton Highway.
For more information, contact the Alaska Interagency Fire Information Office at (907) 356-5511, email 2020.isomcreek@firenet.gov or visit http://www.facebook.com/BLMAFS/
For a pdf of this report click here.
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 