Containment on the 2,135-acre About Mountain fire near McGrath in southwest Alaska climbed to 60 percent on Monday as firefighters continued to benefit from cool, overcast weather.
Fire managers Monday reported no new growth on the fire burning along the Kuskokwim River 6 miles south of McGrath and containment rose from 44 to 60 percent.
There are 94 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. Ten of the smokejumpers are set to be released today.
Crews are spread out working to secure the entire perimeter of the fire as they work for 100 percent containment. 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.
Crews are using a combination of helicopters and boats to ferry supplies to the fire from the McGrath Forestry station.
The fire was reported on June 14 and is believed to have been caused by an abandoned campfire. The fire grew significantly the first three days before rain on Thursday dampened fire activity, enabling crews to take direct action on the fire.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 