There were six additional human caused fires in Alaska over the weekend. As the snow continues to melt, the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DOF) urges Alaskans to burn responsibly and ensure that you are not leaving campfires unattended while recreating.
A responding helicopter drops a water bucket on the Chena Hot Springs Range Fire near Fairbanks on Sunday, May 5. Photo/Fairbanks DOF Initial Attack 
Hose line runs through the shooting range and up the hillside after the Chena Hot Springs Range Fire was contained and controlled by initial attack. Photo/Fairbanks DOF 
The Fireweed Fire burned in a grassy field with homes and a neighborhood close by. Photo/Mat-Su DOF Initial Attack
Mat-Su
Mat-Su DOF received a call from 911 dispatch of a rapidly moving grass fire at 1:14am on May 5. The duty officer contacted Palmer and Butte Fire Departments. Palmer Fire Department responded and was able to contain the fire at 1.8 acres with a wet line. DOF personnel checked and gridded the fire in the morning. No heat or smoke was found. The fire was contained, controlled, and determined to be human caused.
On May 7, 911 dispatch paged out a possibly out of control outside fire. Mat-Su Initial Attack and Prevention responded. Once on scene, unified command was established with Central Mat-Su Fire Department. Resources on scene extinguished the fire and educated the homeowner on safe burning practices. The fire was contained, controlled at .3 acres.
Kenai-Kodiak
Kenai-Kodiak DOF responded to a fire near Gaswell road on May 5 from an escaped debris burn. Responders found a 20×20 creeping fire that they quickly extinguished. The fire was human caused and .1 acres in size.
Fairbanks
Alaska State Troopers reported a small brush fire at the Chena Hot Springs shooting range at mile 37 on Chena Hot Springs Road on Sunday, May 7. Fairbanks DOF responded with an Engine, Prevention officers, and Helicopter. The fire was controlled at 4.5 acres and was human caused.
Delta
A private caller reported a small, abandoned campfire near Delta on May 7. Delta DOF Prevention and one engine responded to the incident and contained and controlled the fire at .1 acres. Delta DOF will check the site again to ensure there is no residual heat.
Fort Wainwright
Fort Wainwright Range Control reported a fire at the Fort Wainwright Small Arms Complex east of Fairbanks on May 7. The .1 acre fire was human caused during military training on the range and put out by on-scene personnel.
May 7-13 is Alaska’s Wildland Fire Prevention and Preparedness week. Let’s work together to prevent human caused fires from hurting our communities this year!
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 