The BLM Alaska Fire Service is keeping an eye on a new fire burning in the military training lands about 13 miles south of the Chena Hot Springs Road. The Stuart Creek Fire (#308) started on Thursday and is burning in pocket of vegetation that was previously left untouched by the 2013 Stuart Creek 2 Fire. Due to hot and dry conditions, the fire grew to 100 acres by Friday afternoon. It was within about ¾ of a mile from remote military infrastructure within the Stuart Creek Impact Area. It is surrounded by approximately 87,000 acres that burned in 2013. Shrubs have taken hold in the burn scar that have little chance of burning. It is highly visible from the surrounding communities – Two Rivers and Pleasant Valley along the Chena Hot Springs Road to the north and Eielson Air Force Base, Moose Creek and North Pole to the west.
The fire is burning north of Stuart Creek and south of Globe Creek in a military impact area that is off limits to firefighters due to the chance of unexploded ordinance on the ground.
BLM AFS Military Zone fire managers will continue to monitor the fire with routine flights over the area. Wetter, cooler weather is expected over the fire area on Saturday.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
For more information, contact BLM AFS Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen at (907)356-5510.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 