A recurring cycle of afternoon thunderstorms is causing steady growth of the Bean Complex of fires. During periods of stability, smoke often pools over the fires and impairs visibility for aerial operations. Scouting, firefighter transport, resupply of remote operations, and water drops must be postponed until the air clears. Gusty winds flowing out of thunderstorms create better visibility, but also pushes fire across a landscape dried out by prolonged drought, low humidity and high air temperatures. These conditions are expected to continue across the complex at least through the weekend, with a trend toward warmer temperatures and lower humidity. A Red Flag Warning is in effect through midnight Sunday for conditions, which could lead to rapid fire growth.

There are 243 people assigned to these fires. Of the five fires in the 150,340-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, firefighters will expand work to identify and assess potential values at risk in the path of expanding perimeters, and conducting point protection on high priority areas.

• The Hutlinana Fire (#327) is 407 acres and 81% contained. This is a full suppression fire with the objective of 100% containment and extinguishment. One crew continues mop up and cutting dead trees down 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 21,660 acres. Resources continue mop up behind firing operations in the Tanana Roadhouse area, and widening and clearing vegetations from 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 is a high priority made more difficult by the limited opportunity for aircraft use. This fire is north of the Tanana River about 14 miles southeast of Manley Hot Springs.
• The Bitzshitini Fire (#312) is at 57,491 acres. Firefighters continue to hold and improve the mop up work around the cabins to the north and east of this fire, and prepare for firing operations as necessary to protect values at risk. This fire is about 23 miles southwest of Manley Hot Springs, south of the Tanana River.
• The Chitanana Fire (#315) is at 58,891 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. 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 11,891 acres. Protection of the structures around Mooseheart Lake is a concern as the fire maintains a pattern of steady growth each day. The Dragon Fire is moving west to meet the Chitanana Fire within the next several operational periods. 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