Great Basin Team 3 will host a community meeting tonight, Aug. 2, at 8 p.m. at the Anderson Fire Station, 911 D Street, to provide an update about the fires in the Anderson Complex.
The meeting will also be streamed live on the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection Facebook page for those who cannot attend in person. The meeting is expected to last about an hour and will include time for questions from community members.
FIRE UPDATE: The Teklanika River Fire (#257) made a small push toward the Nenana River northwest of the city of Anderson on Tuesday night. A tanker plane dropped retardant and helicopters dropped water to slow the fire’s progress. The flare up did not change the objectives or tactics crews were using to protect structures along the river.
During the fire’s push, members of Team 3 remained in contact with representatives from the city of Anderson, Clear Space Force Station and Denali Borough, providing frequent updates. No changes were made to existing evacuation levels set by the borough.
Hotter, drier conditions are expected to make the fire more active today. A high pressure system forecast for the area will remain in place for the rest of the week, with temperatures nearing 90 degrees on Saturday and Sunday. This will likely bring a transition in fire behavior from mostly surface burning to short crown runs with the potential for spot fires. Firefighters have been preparing for the change in the weather.
The Midnight Sun Hotshots continue to protect structures and allotments from the Teklanika River Fire, while the Lassen Hotshots are targeting spot fires and putting them out. The Lassen Hotshots are expected to complete their work by the end of today’s shift. Starting tomorrow, they’re being reassigned to the city of Anderson to work with the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) Task Force and Nulato Hills hand crew.
Today, the JBER Task Force and Nulato Hills crew will be aided by a skidgine as they inspect and improve fire breaks around the community. Residents are asked to give firefighters plenty of room to work.
A skidgine is a combination between a skid-steer and a water-hauling engine.
Two skidgines ready to go at Kobe Road.
Firefighters backed by skidgines will continue assessing structures in the North Forties subdivision today. They also plan to reopen a dozer line north of the subdivision that was put in during the 2022 Clear Fire. Another group of firefighters are working to identify tactical options to keep the fire west of the Nenana River and protect infrastructure along the Parks Highway.
The Shasta Lake Hotshots set up a camp in the area of the Clear Sky homestead to stay closer to their work area. They are assessing structures and allotments in the area of the Birch Creek Fire (#285) to find ways to protect them from the fire. They have contained and controlled Kobe Road Fire (#297), but will monitor the fire over the next few days before declaring it out.
The Anderson Complex includes the Teklanika River Fire (#257), Birch Creek Fire (#285), Kobe Road Fire (#297), Nenana River Fire (#288), and Nenana River Fire 2 (#289). The Nenana River and Nenana River Fire 2 are located inside the burn scar of the 2022 Clear Fire. The two fires are a combined 0.3 acres in size with minimal activity and no growth reported.
EVACUATION STATUS: The Teklanika River and all residents along the Teklanika River, and all residents in Clear Sky homestead (not the Clear Sky Lodge) and residents adjacent to Rose Hip Creek are in Evacuation Status GO. Individuals in this area should evacuate now. Do not delay. The Tri-Valley School is available for evacuation parking and will be available as an evacuation center, if needed.
The city of Anderson and all residents that use any road west of the George Parks Highway between milepost 270 and the Rex Bridge are in Evacuation Status SET. Individuals in this area should be ready in a moment’s notice.
Visit the Denali Borough website for additional information.
Today’s Anderson Complex Information Map. Download a printable version.
CLOSURE: The Anderson Shooting Range and associated camping areas will be closed from Tuesday, Aug. 1, through Friday, Aug. 4, for firefighter and public safety. The brief closure will allow fire crews to complete work on a fuel break.
Anderson Complex Fire Information
Phone: (907) 921-2553 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Email: 2023.andersoncomplex@firenet.gov
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 