The Airshow continues, Firefighters dig in

By Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection on August 15, 2023

WILDFIRE UPDATE – Delta Area – Pogo Mine Road Fire (#191) & Mount Hayes Fire (#299) Tuesday – August 15, 2023

Pogo Mine Road Fire #191 viewed during the hot afternoon from the north shore of Quartz Lake. Photo: Kale Casey / AK DOF
Superscooper CL-415 dropping 1620 gallons of water from nearby Quartz Lake along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Pogo Mine Road Fire. Photo: Gabe Pease-Madore / AK DOF
A Fire Boss drops water on a smoldering power pole.
A sawyer from Tongass Fire Suppression Module hikes through the tundra
Front view of a Fire Boss dropping water.
Arroyo Grande IHC is protecting structures and mopping up hot spots along the fire perimeter. Boats are busy transporting firefighters and supplies up rivers and creeks.
A side view of a Fire Boss dropping water.

Community Meeting Tuesday, Aug 15 @ 6 PM at Big Delta Brewing Co.

Another day of warm and dry weather in the Delta area led to an increase in fire behavior on both fires with noticeable smoke columns on the Pogo Mine Road Fire. A swift and steady response from air tankers and helicopters knocked down flare ups and kept the fire from spreading. Firefighters worked to secure control lines and provided structure protection with a load of smokejumpers joining the effort Monday evening.

Timelapse of southwest corner of the Pogo Mine Road Fire.

Delta area fires including Pogo Mine Road (#191) and Mount Hayes (#299) as of August 14.

Pogo Mine Road Fire (#191) – 47,179 acres | 96 personnel | 12 miles NW of Delta

The main area of growth occurred in the southwest corner of the fire near the Winter Trail. Fire Bosses, Super scoopers, retardant planes and helicopters targeted areas of heat with a continuous bombardment. A load of smokejumpers from Fairbanks parachuted into the south flank to provide structure protection for cabins north of Quartz Lake within close proximity to the fire’s edge. Tongass Fire Suppression Module is working to secure hot spots directly along the Alyeska Pipeline. Tanana Chiefs Conference Crew is protecting structures and Arroyo Grande Hotshots are in place for both structure protection along Shaw Creek and to complete mop up near structures. Chena Hotshots from Fairbanks arrived Monday and will be assigned the southern flank of the fire.

Mount Hayes Fire (#299) – 7,085 acres | 90 personnel | 7 miles SE of Deltana

This wildfire is being monitored by air with resources in place to hold and improve the north dozer lines. Fire activity has been minimal with creeping and smoldering. Firefighters, including the Sierra Hotshots, are getting the necessary supplies for protecting cabins and are getting set up logistically for remote camping. The main focus is installing pumps, hoses and sprinklers for three public-use cabins east of the Gerstle River owned by Alaska Fish and Game.

Weather: A low pressure system moving into the Gulf of Alaska will increase winds slightly Tuesday night into Wednesday and bring some better chances for more widespread showers. Tuesday’s weather: Max temperature around 70 with low humidity at 45 percent and northwest winds 7 to 10 mph decreasing to light and variable.

TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS (TFR) are in effect for both fires