Yesterday evening fire managers deployed fire resources to assist with suppression efforts on recent starts near the Rampart and Tanana areas. Smokejumpers, hotshots, air tankers, and water scoopers worked in conjunction to make considerable progress on the Elephant Fire (#561), Mission Fire (#566) and Cosna Bluff Fire (#564). Fire managers are planning to wrap up operations on other fires in the area in the next few days as a result of the quick response and hard work of the crews.
Moose Creek Fire (#560): Located approximately 13 miles northwest of Rampart. Fire managers are monitoring closely and will deploy resources if necessary.
Elephant Fire (#561): 128 acres, located approximately 3 miles north of the community of Eureka. The fire continues to exhibit active fire behavior, but did see some reduced activity yesterday July 14. Conditions are extremely dry in the area. Smokejumpers and the Texas Canyon hotshots are currently working the fire and are expecting to remain on scene for the next few days.
Fort Hamlin Hills Fire (#562): 468 acres, approximately 14 miles north where the Dalton Highway intersects the Yukon River. Activity on the fire has decreased with fire behavior consisting of smoldering and interior torching. Crews have secured approximately 60% of the edge on the spot fire. Four engines remain on the fire to monitor.
Cosna Bluff Fire (#564): 1.5 acres, approximately 20 miles southwest of Manley Hot Springs on the north side of the Tanana River just north of the Bean Complex’s Chitanana Fire. Several smokejumpers have been assigned and are removing downed trees and logs to create a fire break. Those firefighters are expected to remain on the fire for a few more days.
Gold Pan Fire (#565): 70 acres, located approximately 8.5 miles south of Rampart near Ruby Creek on Baldry Mountain. The fire is creeping and smoldering in spruce and hardwoods and yesterday fire activity decreased. Aerial resources will continue to monitor it throughout the day.
Mission Fire (#566): located roughly 7 miles northwest of the town of Tanana, it is approximately 20 acres, with no fire growth from yesterday. Three loads of smokejumpers were deployed to the fire yesterday in conjunction with six scoopers and three heavy air tankers. The air tankers were able to line the entire fire with retardant.
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 