Cooler temperatures, moist air, and rain gave firefighters the opportunity to directly attack some areas of the Pogo Mine Road Fire (#191), and more time to build secondary lines on the north flank of Mount Hayes Fire (#299). Firefighters were active as helicopters dropped water, crews sprayed water and protected cabins, and bulldozers built control lines.
The change in weather included morning thunderstorms and light precipitation in some areas near Delta Junction. Fire behavior remained less active than previous days with creeping and smoldering observed on the fireline, while in other areas active flames with single and group tree torching was observed.
Currently, there are no evacuations in the Delta Junction area. If any evacuations from wildfires were to take place, the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection would coordinate with the Alaska State Emergency Operations Center and local fire chiefs to notify residents.
Fire Management Officer Michael Goyette gives an update on the Pogo Mine Road (#191) and Mount Hayes (#299) fires. With smokey conditions expected to persist in the Delta Junction area, Goyette cautions residents and visitors to take precautions regarding health, visibility and driving impacts. For more information about air quality, please visit: https://dec.alaska.gov/air/
Overview of Wildfires in the Delta Junction Area
Pogo Mine Road Fire (#191)
Cooler temperatures, and light rain afforded firefighters the opportunity to secure a dozer line from Pogo Mine Road to private property. Dozers built a direct control line along the fire edge, and North Pacific Type 2 handcrew from the Pacific Northwest ensured that the fire did not cross the dozerline by installing and utilizing a hoselay to cool the hot perimeter. A helicopter dropped water on areas of heat to slow the spread of fire that spotted across the powerline and pipeline corridor in the western portion of the fire.
The fire crossed Shaw Creek and continues burning to the south, and is currently three to four miles away from Quartz Lake. In some places, the fire is also less than one mile to the Richardson Highway. A group of firefighters transported by helicopters and boats continues to provide structure protection in areas they can safely access. Some of the protective measures include clearing vegetation and cutting hazard trees.
Mount Hayes Fire (#299)
In an effort to keep the fire from moving north towards the Richardson Highway, firefighters completed a dozer line and installed a hoselay that will serve as a primary control line. This line extends from the south portion of Gerstle Field to the Gerstle River. Work has also begun on establishing a secondary line to the north of the primary line.
This fire is burning on military and state lands in the Gerstle River Arctic Test Site area. The fire jumped the Gerstle River to east. Dozers are building control lines to north of the main the fire. Management objectives are to keep the fire South of Gerstle Field System and Bison Trail, east of Sawmill Creek, and west of the Gerstle River.
Delta Fire (#221)
Eight smokejumpers were flown off the fire Tuesday after working to protect structures in the area. The management objective is to keep the fire within Delta Creek, the Little Delta and the Tanana River. This wildfire can be seen off of the Richardson Highway corridor west of Delta Creek, and is burning on military and state lands.
Indian Creek Fire (#251)
This unstaffed fire is located near Pogo Mine. Limited activity has been observed.
Ponds Fire (#302)
This 839-acre wildfire is currently south of the Richardson Highway on military land and is currently being monitored.
Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 