Fire behavior moderated on the Marten Creek Fire (#386) and the Discovery Creek Fire (#388) in the Yukon Flats Wednesday as firefighters remain busy preparing for today’s warmer, drier weather. Firefighters reported both fires received a light dusting of rain Wednesday that likely didn’t elevate the dry conditions in the deeper ground layers. With the weather forecast returning to breezy, drier conditions today, firefighters anticipate more activity as the fires burn through black spruce trees in the area.
The North Star Fire Crew arrived in Venetie Wednesday and began work on indirect fire break extending around much of the village established in 2004. The crew is improving the existing control line and utilizing existing barriers such as roads to protect Venetie from the 624-acre Marten Creek Fire burning 13 miles east. Meanwhile, other firefighters assessed three cabins threatened by this fire to the north. Three smokejumpers began constructing protection measures on the closest cabin about 4.5 miles to the southeast. In total, 35 firefighting personnel are assigned to this fire, working in support of firefighting efforts either in Venetie or 45 miles away in Fort Yukon.
The University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanook Fire Crew will head north today to help smokejumpers working on the 292-acre Discovery Creek Fire burning in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge about 30 miles northwest of Venetie. Smokejumpers are securing lines around a burn operation conducted to protect a Native allotment immediately south of the fire. The Nanook Crew will start at the southeast saw a control line to protect the threatened allotment.
Weather forecasted for the area includes maximum temperatures around 68 with southeasterly winds 5-15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph for today. Friday is predicted to be mostly cloudy with a slight chance of scattered rain showers and temperatures in the low 70s. Both are lightning caused fires.
The Marten Creek Fire was discovered on Sunday and the Discovery Creek Fire was discovered on Monday.
Contact BLM Alaska Fire Service Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen at (907)356-5510 for more information.
| Fire | Cause | Start Date | Estimated Acres | Personnel Assigned |
| Marten Creek | Lightning | July 25 | 624 | 35 |
| Discovery Creek | Lightning | July 26 | 292 | 27 |
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Categories: Active Wildland Fire, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 