Clear and sunny weather conditions returned to the region on Saturday. It allowed firefighters the opportunity to use helicopters to start removing equipment and supplies from some remote parts of the fires. Motorboats continue to move firefighters and gear to several locations along the Tanana River. The boats and operators have been especially valuable to provide reliable access to the fires on this complex. Two of the fires are located numerous river miles from Manley Hot Springs. Food, supplies, and crew movements need to be planned several days in advance and take several days to complete. The forecast is for continued warm and dry conditions for the area on Sunday. Fire crews will monitor the fires for holdover hot spots or pockets of heat in the ground that continue to be present and could influence future fire activity. Fire activity remained minimal, even though no rain was measured at the weather stations over the past 24 hours.
The seven fires total 194,926 acres with 224 people assigned. A slight increase in acreage was calculated based on improved mapping. Fire crews are camped remotely near the larger fires as they work on fire suppression tasks and protect values at risk.
On the Tanana River Fire (#310), about 14 miles southeast of Manley Hot Springs and north of the Tanana River, fire crews patrolled and monitored the fire edge northwest and southwest of the Tolovana River. Firefighters are disassembling fire protection systems on structures located away from the existing fires. Crews had established protection of approximately 58 structures and four Native allotments that could have been impacted by the fire. This fire is 24,982 acres in size.
On the Bitzshitini Fire (#312), about 23 miles southwest of Manley Hot Springs and south of the Tanana River, crews have packed up the equipment and supplies to be hauled out of the fire. This fire is 69,678 acres in size.
The Chitinana Fire (#315), south of the Tanana River about 21 miles southeast of Tanana and 20 miles southwest of Manley Hot Springs, is 99,323 acres in size. Firefighters have been packaging up equipment and supplies to be hauled out of the fire.
The Hutlinana Fire (#327), north of the Tanana River roughly 10 miles east of Manley Hot Springs, remains at 90% containment and 407 acres. All of the fire suppression equipment has been removed from this fire. It is unstaffed and in monitor status.
The Rock Fire (#557), is located 6 miles north of Eureka and is 1 acre. It is unstaffed and in monitor status.
The Elephant Fire (#561), is located 6 miles northeast of Eureka and is 110 acres. It is unstaffed and in monitor status.
The Cosna Bluff Fire (#564), is located 19 miles southwest of Manley Hot Springs and is 2 acres. It is unstaffed and in monitor status.
For more information, contact Bean Complex at email: 2022.bean@firenet.gov; or 907-921-2454
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 