The fire started on July 2 from lightning and burned fast and deep across 42 acres near Lake George, between Delta and Tok. The fire burned in black spruce, mixed hardwood and in timber litter and understory. There was an aggressive initial attack by interagency resources that helped keep the fire’s footprint small. Resources that responded and worked on containment throughout the incident included Tanana Chiefs, Fairbanks 1 Emergency Firefighters, Pioneer Peak Hotshots, North Star Fire Crew, White Mountain Firefighters, AFS Smokejumpers, initial attack firefighters from the DOF Delta and Tok Area Offices, three helicopters, Fire Bosses, and air tankers. The fire area was only accessible by boat or helicopter and coordination efforts from logistics and support personnel were imperative to achieving objectives: The safety of all resources and protecting nearby allotments.
The Lake George Fire burned very deep, down to the permafrost, and crews worked for 12 days to grid the fire area and mop up any remaining heat in the ground. 90% of the trees in the fire area fell naturally and firefighters needed to fell the other 10%; bone piling and burning the piles as they went.
Firefighters and support personnel faced several challenges including working in dense fuels to secure containment lines and working in 80-to-90-degree heat for 7 days. Crews were operating in an area under Red Flag Warning conditions for several days and resources remaining on the fire were crucial in ensuring there was no further spread to the surrounding areas.
Amid operations, Division of Forestry & Fire Protection personnel and boats were utilized in search and rescue efforts for two civilians that were reported to be stranded on the Tanana River after capsizing in their canoe. The civilians were located by fire personnel and rescued off the river and helped to Fairbanks.
Several training opportunities were taken advantage of during the Lake George Fire. 16 people were in training roles including Type 3 Incident Commander, Type 3 Plans Section Chief, Task Force Leader, Crew Boss, Helicopter Crew Member, Fire Cache Manager, Firefighter Type 1, Type 5 Incident Commander, Intermediate Faller and Advanced Faller. Four task books were signed off during the incident.
No heat or smoke has been found on the fire since July 13. Crews and support personnel have begun demobilizing from the Lake George Fire and the Delta Area DOF office will continue monitoring the fire for any changes in activity.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 