Over 18,000 lightning strikes occurred across Interior Alaska on Monday, July 24, causing 30 new fires. More are expected to be discovered Tuesday as reconnaissance flights cover areas affected by the severe storms from the Baird Mountains of the western Brooks Range, southeast across the state through the Copper River Basin and into the Wrangell Mountains. This summer, with cooler temperatures and ample rain, the duff layers of tundra and forested areas are damp and not receptive to deep, continuous burning. Recent warm, dry days have cured the fine fuels on the surface making them susceptible to lightning caused fires.
Thunderstorms are expected across the same areas on Tuesday. A Red Flag Warning for the Central Interior, Yukon Flats and surrounding uplands is in effect for 1:00 pm Tuesday through 4:00 am Wednesday due to lightning from scattered thunderstorms could lead to new fires starts.
Of all the fires on Tuesday, only six were determined by fire managers to need suppression efforts. BLM Alaska Fire Service has deployed smokejumpers to two fires in their suppression area: Boulder Creek Fire (#195) north of Tofty Road and Moose Fire (#200) near Mile 100 Elliot Highway.
The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection responded to four fires yesterday:
#189 George Creek: Passing aircraft reported a lightning strike which started a wildfire. Helitack, Air Attack and Retardant Tanker 542 responded. Air Attack arrived first on scene to a 0.3 acre fire burning in hardwoods followed by the helicopter. The helitack crew suppressed the incident with the help of multiple bucket drops from the helicopter. Fire was called contained and controlled.
#191 Pogo Mine Road: Pogo Mine security reported a wildfire near Mile 19 Pogo Mine Road. Aircraft diverted from the George Creek fire and determined there to be a 150-acre fire burning in a Modified protection area. Since there were no values immediately at risk, and there were multiple other new starts, no further action was taken on this fire.
#196 6 Mile Pogo: While performing operations for other new starts, Air Attack located a cluster of fires on Pogo Mine Road. The proximity of the fires increased the risk of responding firefighters becoming surrounded. Two Fire Boss water scooping aircraft responded while ground resources staged near Mile 8 until it was safe enough to approach. Tanana Chiefs Crew arrived on site.
#201 McCoy Creek: Multiple citizens reported a wildfire caused by a lightning strike 25 miles north of the Salcha river boat launch. Helitack responded and found an active fire burning in black spruce. Air Attack flew the incident estimating it to be 25 acres, noting the incident received heavy precipitation which decreased fire activity from the first size up of 80% active perimeter with 10-15ft flame lengths down to a 10% active perimeter with flame lengths under 1ft with very minimal spread potential. The White Mountain crew was ordered and was shuttled to the incident via boat Monday evening.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 