A new fire was located along the Goodpaster River this afternoon after a report of smoke visible in the area. The Central Creek Airstrip Fire (#295) is about two miles south of the confluence of Central Creek and Goodpaster River.
The fire is moving east up the slope of the drainage where it started. It was estimated to be 25 acres at 5 pm. The Hooper Bay Squad of five and three other Delta Area Forestry firefighters were shuttled by helicopter into the Goodpaster/Central Creek area to assess cabins and homes along the river and begin structure protection operations. The cause of the fire has not been determined yet.
This is one of eight new fires reported on Friday. Scattered thunderstorms across the Interior and north to the Brooks Range are believed to be responsible for most of them.
This weather pattern is expected to continue through the weekend. Firefighting resources are being carefully assigned as each new incident is assessed. This morning there were 91 active fires with 544 firefighters assigned to 16 of them.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 