Today, moisture and instability moving into the region will bring continued chances for late day and evening thunderstorms with gusty, erratic winds. Yesterday’s thunderstorms had a strong effect on fires on the west side of the complex. As the winds clear away the smoke, increased sun on the ground dries out fuels and increases fire behavior. The winds are often strong enough to keep aircraft grounded. A Red Flag Warning is in effect through midnight Thursday for conditions which could lead to rapid fire growth. The pattern of afternoon thunderstorms is expected to continue through the end of the week.

There are 259 people assigned to these fires. Of the five fires in the 147,543-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. Today’s operations will maintain current point protection, assess the need for future point protection and continue air operations when visibility allows.

• The Hutlinana Fire (#327) is 407 acres and 78% contained. This is a full suppression fire with the objective of 100% containment and extinguishment. One crew continues mop up and snag felling around the perimeter and preparing to retrieve firefighting equipment as air and river transport becomes available. This fire is north of the Tanana River roughly 10 miles east of Manley Hot Springs.
• The Tanana River Fire (#310) is at 20,536 acres. Resources continue mop up behind firing operations in the Roadhouse area, and improving a trail to be used as a secondary fuel break between there and Deadman’s Lake. Holding and suppressing the spot fires west of the Tolovana River has become more difficult with clear skies and gusty winds. This fire is north of the Tanana River about 14 miles southwest of Manley Hot Springs.
• The Bitzshitini Fire (#312) is at 56,427 acres. Smokejumpers continue to hold and improve the mop up work around the cabins to the north and east of this fire. Fire behavior was heavily influenced by yesterday’s thunderstorms. Firefighters are preparing for firing operations as necessary to protect values at risk.
• The Chitanana Fire (#315) is at 58,974 acres. Crews continue mopping up around the cabins, allotments, and other structures in the area and conducting firing operations as necessary. Growth is eastward toward the Dragon Fire. Thunderstorms caused a significant increase in fire behavior. This fire is south of the Tanana River about 21 miles southeast of Tanana and 24 miles southwest of Manley Hot Springs.
• The Dragon Fire (#343) is at 10,691 acres. Protection of the structures around Mooseheart Lake is a concern as the fire maintains a pattern of steady growth each day in response to thunderstorms in the area. This fire is south of the Tanana River about 39 miles south of Manley Hot Springs.

The State Forester for the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection issued an Emergency Burn Closure Order at 11:59 p.m. on July 1, 2022, 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