A community briefing from fire managers will be held at the Big Delta Brewing Co. in Delta Junction Friday, August 11 at 6:00 pm. This informal, family-friendly, in-person briefing is a chance for residents to hear a fire update for the Pogo Mine Road Fire and the Mount Hayes Fire from the Type 3 Incident Commander and Operations Section Chief.
On both the Pogo Mine Road (#191) and Mount Hayes (#299) fires, there’s a lot of open fire perimeter, but not a lot of firefighting resources. The main focus continues to be on structure protection and assessing what values at risk are located in and around the two wildfires.
A drone or unmanned aircraft system (UAS) module is on the fire performing scouting missions, mapping the fire perimeter and in place for aerial ignitions when conditions allow for burning.
Showers and isolated thunderstorms will continue today, with thunderstorm potential decreasing after today. Cloudy conditions with light winds and light precipitation was present for much of the Delta Junction area. Consequently, fire behavior was moderated with creeping and smoldering in the tundra while pockets of heavy fuel contributed to fire spread.
Indirect containment lines have been getting improved with additional dozer work. Hose lays are being installed today. Photo: Kale Casey / AK DOF 
Accountability of resources and their well being is the highest priority for operations and law enforcement specialists. Photo: AK DOF 
Working on containment lines at the Mount Hayes Fire #299. Photo: Franco Forestry Crew Boss by Kale Casey / AK DOF
Currently, there are no evacuations in place for Fires #191 and #299. 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.
Overview of Wildfires in the Delta Junction Area
Pogo Mine Road Fire (#191) – 47,136 acres – 15 miles north of Delta Junction
Firefighters remain engaged in protecting structures within close proximity of the fire to safeguard private residences and infrastructure. Fire personnel utilized helicopters and boats to continue securing remote structures with defensible space measures.
The southwest portion of the fire is close to Quartz Lake and the Richardson Highway. In order to slow the spread and keep the southern perimeter in check, aviation resources are available.
Fire activity was moderated by cooler, wet weather Thursday with creeping and smolder in the duff, and active surface fire in areas of heavy fuel loading. (32 personnel)
Mount Hayes Fire (#299) – 7,085 acres – 7 miles south of Deltana
The north containment line is nearly complete with an alternate line in place as well. When weather conditions are favorable and fuels dry out, fire managers will implement a firing operation for multiple management objectives including securing the north flank and habitat restoration.
Some of the values at risk include a small group of primary homes along the Alaska Highway, two Fish and Game cabins southeast of the fire and an AT&T communications tower. Firefighter will begin cabin protection on the two cabins and a bridge in the fire area. With an increase in resources, a plan for a direct attack on the portion of fire that jumped the Gerstle River is underway.
Operations on the fire include testing the hoselay on the north dozer line daily. Widening sections of the dozer line. Scouting for opportunities to burn out the section between the Gerstle Fields and the Gerstle river. Strategic objectives are to keep the fire west of Doughredy Creek and to keep the fire south of Bison Fields and Bison Trail. (35 personnel)
Unstaffed Fires: Delta Fire (#221) – 46,612 acres, Ponds Fire (#302) – 9,163 acres
For information regarding fires in the Delta Junction area, call: 541-977-2756.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 