The combination of moderated weather, marshy terrain and work from smokejumpers and water-dropping aircraft Thursday helped subdue the Little Albert Creek Fire (#206) burning five miles west of Central. The fire was estimated at 350 acres and burning mostly in tussock tundra and brush. The east side of the fire stalled when it burned into a riparian area north of Crooked Creek. However, the west side of the fire is still active as it burns about 2 miles north of the Steese Highway. The BLM Alaska Fire Service Chena Hotshot Crew is joining the suppression efforts later this afternoon. The eight smokejumpers parachuted into the area early Thursday afternoon while the Chena Hotshots drove the roughly 120 miles from BLM AFS. There is also a helicopter scooping large buckets of water and two water-scoopers helping help douse the flames.
The lightning-caused fire originally started Wednesday in an area that was considered a limited management option – which typically means the fire will be put in monitor status. However, it soon burned into a full-protection area that is considered a high priority for suppression efforts due to the proximity to moderately populated area, cultural or developed sites. The fire is burning north of a mining operation on the opposite side of Crooked Creek.
A weather front was forecasted to pass over the fire area today and possibly bring brief showers with isolated thunderstorms. Winds are predicted to increase to 5-15 mph and come out of the southwest. There is a possibility for erratic and gusty winds associated with thunder cells. The weather is forecasted to settle down Friday.
For more information, contact Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen at (907)356-5510 or eipsen@blm.gov.
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 