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Precipitation, higher relative humidity and cloud cover moderates activity on multiple incidents

By Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection on August 9, 2023

Firefighters work on the containment line of the Pogo Mine Road Fire (#191) near Delta on August 8. Kale Casey/ AK DOF

Continued scattered showers and thunderstorms delivered precipitation to many fires across the region yesterday. Wetting rains, higher relative humidity and cloud cover moderated activity on multiple incidents, allowing personnel to take direct suppression actions along fire edges. Anair quality advisory remains in effect for central and eastern Alaska. If you or your family have questions on smoke impacts to health or need additional resources, visit the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservations page on Wildfire Smoke, Health & Safety. There are currently 153 active fires: 53 in critical or full protection and 100 in limited management zones. 253,475 acres have burned statewide.

HIGHLIGHTED FIRE ACTIVITY

Lost Horse Creek (#296) – [8,924 acres] North of Old Murphy Dome Road, 3.5 miles east of Mile 18 Elliot Highway. Potential for burning of the fire diminished as moisture moved into the area yesterday. Crews continue working to keep the fire north of the Haystack subdivision and east of the improvements along the Elliott Highway. Evacuation levels remain in place from the Fairbanks North Star Borough. (238 Personnel)

Anderson Complex (#899) – [50,830 acres] Anderson-Clear area. Due to wetting rain, high relative humidity, and cloud cover fire behavior in the complex was minimal. A community meeting will be held tonight in Anderson and evacuation levels remain in place from the Denali Borough. (250 personnel)

Smokey, aerial view of the McCoy Creek Fire (#201) over the Salcha River on August 8. Torrey Short/ Incident Commander

McCoy Creek (#201) – [13,402 acres] River mile 29, Salcha River. The fire area did not receive measurable precipitation yesterday. Union Hotshots went direct on the east end of the fire, smokejumpers did structure assessment from 14.5 mi of Salcha up to mile 42, and other crews completed mop up behind structures. Evacuation levels remain in place from the Fairbanks North Star Borough. (154 personnel)

Pogo Mine Road (#191) – [42,000 acres] 9 miles down Pogo Road. With the moderated weather personnel were able to go direct on the west flank of the fire. Dozers were utilized on the southern and eastern edges and DOF personnel continue hose lay around the incident.(32 personnel)

Helicopter lifts off after crew member attaches bucket for water drop operations on the Our Creek Fire (#271). Bryan Crisp/AK DOF

Sand Lake (#261) – [124 acres] 6 miles northwest of Dot Lake. Crews are focused on establishing saw line and hose lays reaching the top of the saddle and have hooked the northwest corner. Mop-up is going well on the west flank with 50 feet in halfway up the flank complete. Sprinkler kits are deployed allowing for efficient use of available personnel. (64 personnel)

Mosquito Creek (#290) – [35 acres] 5 miles east of Harding Lake. The fire area received significant rain yesterday. Personnel continued to burn excess fuel in the interior of the fire and are working to create a 50 foot saw line. (43 personnel)

Mount Hayes (#299) – [7,000 acres] 24 miles southeast of Delta Junction. Dozers continued to strengthen existing lines and started a new contingency line from north of the bison field east to the river. DOF engines filled 2 porta tanks and put in more hose lay on the northwest corner on the existing dozer line. (8 personnel)