A second day of scattered thunderstorms and gusty, erratic winds caused several of the fires in the Bean Complex to grow. The Tanana River Fire (#310) spotted across the Tolovana River along the western perimeter. Smoke continues to impede helicopter use for fire suppression and firefighter transport. As point protection succeeds on other fires in the Complex, crews and resources are shuttled by boat from west to east on the Tanana River to attack these spots. Long distances and strong river currents make this a two-day trip to move a crew and their supplies into place.

With continued warm and dry conditions and the threat of lightning, a Red Flag Warning remains in effect for the fire area through midnight today. Today will be a few degrees cooler with slightly higher relative humidity, but with continued chances for late day and evening thunderstorms. Similar conditions can be expected on Wednesday, with conditions continuing to moderate through the end of the week.

There are 243 people assigned to these fires.  Of the five fires in the 128,982-acre complex, four are under a point zone protection strategy which consists of taking steps to protect sites of value such as cabins, lodges and Native allotments.

• The Hutlinana Fire (#327) is 407 acres and 70% contained. This is a full suppression fire with the objective of 100% containment and extinguishment. Two crews continue mop up and snag felling operations around the perimeter of this fire.
• The Tanana River Fire (#310) is at 16,637 acres. In the Deadman’s Lake area, resources are working to protect approximately 37 structures. Resources continue mop up behind completed firing operations in the Tolovana Roadhouse area to improve a trail to be used as a secondary fire break between there and Deadman’s Lake. Firing operations will resume as necessary to keep the fire in check, and to protect values at risk in these areas.
• The Bitzshitini Fire (#312) is at 48,695 acres. Smokejumpers continue to hold and improve the mop up work around the cabins to the north and east of this fire. Point protection remains a priority on this fire.
• The Chitanana Fire (#315) is at 55,235 acres. Crews continue mopping up around the cabins, allotments, and other structures in the area and conducting firing operations as necessary. 
• The Dragon Fire (#343) is at 8,008 acres. Protection of the structures around Mooseheart Lake continues as the fire maintains a pattern of steady growth each day. 

Today’s operations include assessing the effects of continued wind and lightning on the fire area.

The State Forester for the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection [A1] issued an Emergency Burn Closure Order at 11:59 p.m. on July 1, 2022, [A2] It restricts all burning that requires a local or state burn permit, including uncontained cooking, warming, and signaling fires. The Alaska Department of Public Safety has restricted the use of fireworks across much of Alaska. Please refer to www.dps.alaska.gov to see if you’re impacted. With the present risk of thunderstorms, please do your part to prevent new fires.

For more information, contact Bean Complex at email: 2022.bean@firenet.gov; or 907-921-2454

Categories: AK Fire Info

Tags: Alaska Division of Forestry, Bean Complex, BLM Alaska Fire Service