Firefighters are wrapping up work on the Little Albert Creek Fire (#206) burning about 5 miles west of Central. With more than 50% of the 536-acre fire contained Sunday night, the 20-person Snake River Valley #12 Type 2 Initial Attack crew demobilized Monday, leaving the job of making sure the fire is completely out to the BLM Alaska Fire Service Chena Hotshots. The Chena Hotshots anticipate having the job finished tonight and demobilizing Tuesday.
An unmanned aircraft system, or drone, with an infrared camera, flew over the fire Sunday without finding any sources of heat remaining. The area did receive wetting rains overnight Sunday to help make sure the burned areas don’t hold any remaining heat.
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 areas, cultural or developed sites. The fire was burning 2 miles north of the Steese Highway at milepost 120. It was also north of a mining operation on the opposite side of Crooked Creek.
The combination of moderated weather, marshy terrain and work from smokejumpers and water-dropping aircraft on Thursday helped subdue the fire. The east side of the tundra fire stalled when it burned into a riparian area north of Crooked Creek. However, the west side of the fire was active, prompting the two crews to join the suppression efforts in the following days.
For more information about Alaska’s wildfire season, contact BLM AFS Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen at (907)356-5511 or go to akfireinfo.com.
| Acres | 536 |
| Personnel | 23 |
| Crews | 1 |
| Helicopters | 1 |
| Start date | June 16 |
| Cause | Lightning |
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 