9:00 PM UPDATE: This evening fire crews continue to make good progress towards containment on the Ridgetop Fire (#117) with help from multiple retardant drops, helicopter support and paracargo drops to assist the firefighters on the ground. Crews will continue to work throughout the night to protect and assess structures near the fire, construct direct fire line and cool the perimeter of the fire with pumps and hose lays. Dozers will also assist firefighters in fireline construction during the evening hours and into the morning.
The Parks Highway remains open with no factor to the public on the highway corridor. However, the public is reminded to slow down and drive with extreme caution as fire crews and fire apparatus may be encountered between mile post 254 and 255 as firefighters access the fire area and staging area. In addition to the visible ground resources, aviation resources may be seen flying over the highway as they conduct aerial operations this evening.
The Ridgetop Fire (#117) was human caused and is currently under investigation. One outbuilding has been confirmed to be destroyed due to the fire. However, firefighters did an outstanding job safely protecting numerous cabins within the fire area during the initial attack phase and will continue to provide structure protection while the threat of the fire exists.
This will be the last update for the evening unless significant activity occurs, fire behavior increases or there is an impact to the Parks Highway.
6:00 PM UPDATE: Firefighters are making good progress with suppression efforts on the Ridgetop Fire (#117) north of Healy. The fire is estimated at 300 acres and continues to be active along much of the fire perimeter. With the support of bulldozers, fire crews are constructing fire line to slow the spread of the fire while begin assisted from the air by retardant and water dropping aviation resources. Numerous loads of retardant have been dropped along the fire perimeter to allow crews the opportunity to take advantage of the reduction in heat to construct direct fireline slowing the fire’s growth.
Additional resources have been ordered and will be arriving throughout the evening. As crews arrive, they will continue utilizing helicopters to shuttle into the fire area to assist with fire suppression activities throughout the night.
The public may encounter smoke in the area due to the proximity of the fire to the Parks Highway, however the highway is still open, and the fire has not had any impact on the traffic flow near the fire area. However, the public is encouraged to drive with caution and reduce their speed near the fire area as numerous crew carriers, fire engines, heavy equipment haulers, and support vehicles will be traveling the highway corridor north of Healy as they gain access to the fire. There is still a Temporary Flight Restriction in place over the fire to reduce aircraft intrusions while aviation resources conduct flight operations. To view the current TFR in the area please visit https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html
3:00 PM UPDATE: The Ridgetop Fire (#117) is currently estimated at 100 acres in size and continues to be very active on all flanks. DOF Pioneer Peak and BLM AFS Chena Hotshot crews have been ordered as well as Type 2 IA Tanana Chiefs Crew, BLM AFS Type 2 Northstars crew and DOF Type 2 White Mountain module. Numerous fire engines and retardant aircraft have been ordered to assist with the initial attack operation. A Temporary Flight Restriction has been issued for the fire area.
1:30 PM UPDATE: Firefighters are enroute to a new reported incident 4 miles NW of Healy. The Ridgetop Fire (#117) is approximately 50 acres in size and exhibiting active fire behavior.
Crews responding include Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection firefighters, BLM Alaska Fire Service Smokejumpers, DOF Helitack and Fire Bosses, water scooping aircraft.
This will be updated as more information becomes available.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 