Severe thunderstorms produced more lightning across Interior Alaska again on Tuesday but nothing of the magnitude recorded the day before. There were nearly 8,000 ground strikes Tuesday resulting in 31 new fires. Six of those fires are being suppressed by the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection (DOF) and the BLM Alaska Fire Service (BLM AFS).
Middle River Fire (#229): The fire, first reported as Deep Creek Fire upriver on the Salcha River from Flat Creek, was discovered by a DOF helicopter on reconnaissance Tuesday afternoon. Fire Boss water scooping aircraft, retardant Tanker 542, helicopters with water dropping buckets along with aerial supervision conducted an initial attack. BLM AFS Smokejumpers deployed eight firefighters and delivered supplies and equipment via paracargo. DOF White Mountain Module were moved from the McCoy Creek Fire (#201) to the new fire upriver to set up structure protection systems for threatened cabins and home sites. There are 21 firefighters assigned to the estimated 52-acre fire.
McCoy Creek Fire (#201): DOF White Mountain Module were deployed Monday evening to the estimated 25-acre fire located a little over a mile up McCoy Creek from the Salcha River. The 8-person module started structure protection efforts for cabins along the Salcha River near the confluence of McCoy Creek. Because of the immediate threat to cabins and homes by the Middle River Fire, the module was moved to the higher priority fire. Firefighters will return to the fire Wednesday to continue structure protection and suppression efforts.
Olnes Pond Fire (#250): DOF Helitack responded to the fire off Old Murphy Dome Road on Tuesday evening. Multiple starts were reported in the area. BLM AFS Smokejumpers were deployed to the 4- acre fire.
Big El Dorado Creek Fire (#248): Locals reported the fire located north of Goldstream Road on Tuesday evening. DOF dispatched two engines along with a water dropping helicopter to extinguish the .1-acre fire. Firefighters will return to the fire Wednesday to check for hotspots.
Smallwood Creek Fire (#246): A caller reported a lightning strike causing the fire that was threatening a subdivision north of Mile 12 Chena Hotsprings Road Tuesday evening. A helicopter and four DOF engines were able to contain and control the .2-acre fire late in the evening. Firefighters will return to the fire Wednesday to ensure there are no lingering hotspots.
Pogo Shaft Fire (#249): A new start was discovered in the vicinity of Pogo Mine. The 1-acre fire was burning in tundra and black spruce. Aerial supervision directed water dropping helicopters and Tanker 542. Three DOF engines responded along with the Tanana Chiefs Crew.
Klaluthyiit Bluff Fire (#219): BLM AFS North Star Crew were mobilized to fire located 14.5 miles southwest of Allakaket to defend Native Allotments. The fire was discovered via remote sensing and was showing moderate growth during reconnaissance and is an estimated 212 acres.
A chance of scattered thunderstorms is forecast for Wednesday but those are not expected to be as violent at the previous two days. Aerial reconnaissance will continue to search out new fires caused by recent and expected lightning. Temperatures will remain above normal in the Interior with thunderstorms building each afternoon. Burn Permits remain suspended in the Tok and Delta Fire Prevention Areas.
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 