Firefighters working to contain the About Mountain Fire near McGrath continue to take advantage of cooler and wetter weather in Southwest Alaska to meet their objectives.

Crews increased containment on the 2,135-acre fire burning along the Kuskokwim River 6 miles south of McGrath from 20 to 44 percent on Saturday and that number should climb to at least 60 percent by the end of shift today. The slight increase in acres burned is a result of better mapping.

There are 92 personnel working to contain the fire, including the Division of Forestry’s Pioneer Peak Hotshots, 24 smokejumpers from the BLM Alaska Fire Service and two Type 2 contract crews.

Today, firefighters will continue to secure the fire’s edge and begin mopping up 300 feet in off containment lines. Structures in Cranberry Ridge Subdivision 3 miles north of the fire have been prepped as a long-term contingency plan.

One Native allotment was identified 3 miles south of the fire and an allotment protection contingency plan is in place.  The Pioneer Peak Hotshots, Two Type 2 crews, and 24 Smokejumpers are assigned.

Categories: Active Wildland Fire, Air Quality