The McCoy Creek Fire saw moderate fire activity Friday. Crews continue to secure existing fire lines and work to keep the fire away from the structures in the Salcha River corridor. Saturday, high temperatures and low humidity, along with forecast Chinook winds from the south, have led the National Weather Service to issue a Red Flag Warning effective noon Saturday through 10 pm Sunday. These conditions can lead to increased fire growth on existing fires and any new starts in the area. Firefighters on the McCoy Creek Fire are preparing to maintain the fire’s north perimeter through the weather event.
Smoke hangs over the Salcha River on the afternoon of August 5. Photo: Torrey Short, Alaska DNR.
Crews assigned to the fire are the DOF White Mountain Type 2 Initial Attack Crew, the Union Interagency Hotshot Crew from Oregon and a contingent of smokejumpers.
Map of McCoy Creek Fire (#201) and Mosquito Creek Fire (#290) as of August 5.
A GO! evacuation status remains in effect for Fairbanks North Star Borough residents in the Lower Salcha River, approximately from river mile 3 to 40. The Middle Salcha remains in Set status, approximately river mile 40 to 61.
Alaska State Parks has closed the Salcha River Recreation Area to the public to give firefighters the space they need to do their jobs safely. Property owners can still access the river at the boat ramp but should be aware this is an active fire area and in evacuation status. The area between river miles 20-30 should be avoided, if at all possible. In addition, the Harding Lake Campground is closed, but the boat ramp remains open to the public.
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 