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Lost Horse Creek evacuation status changed to READY in Haystack area

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A firefighter is in the middle of the photograph, bent over holding a chainsaw. all around him are tree limbs that he is cutting into shorter lengths. In the background, piles of these limbs are being stacked and burned by other firefighters.
The Pioneer Peak Hotshot Crew works on the southwest corner of the Lost Horse Creek Fire. The crew is stacking piles of limbs to burn and help to secure the fire’s edge. Photo credit: Alaska IMT.

As of 2 pm on Wednesday, the Fairbanks North Star Borough changed the evacuation status from Level 2 (SET) to Level 1 (READY) for all areas impacted by the Lost Horse Creek Fire (#296). This includes all areas within the Haystack subdivision, Upper Haystack Drive, Sharmon Court, Middle Fork Road, and the Poker Flat Watershed.

Crews are closing in on meeting suppression objectives. Based on the most recent mapping of the fire perimeter and fire behavior, a target of 23% of the perimeter has been identified for containment. Currently, 16% of the fire perimeter is contained. Crews are improving containment line by working deeper into the duff and into the burned area to extinguish heat. This work will continue until crews feel confident there is little-to-no chance of fire spread beyond the current perimeter. Work continues on the southwest corner to secure and close any remaining gaps in the southern containment line.

A two-mile-long contingency line was completed west of the fire and a second contingency line is in progress southeast of the fire from Haystack toward the Chatanika River. Crews are utilizing heavy equipment to start working on suppression repair to minimize soil erosion and other impacts.

Rain fell on most of the fire area on Wednesday. Gusty winds and scattered rain are expected for Thursday and Friday.

The August 17, 2023 public information map for the Lost Horse Creek Fire. The map shows that all evacuations in the area are set to READY.
As of August 17, the Lost Horse Creek Fire is 9,505 acres and is 16% contained. There are a total of 345 people currently working on the fire. All evacuations in the fire area are set to READY.

EVACUATIONS: All areas of the Haystack subdivision are now at Level 1 “ READY” evacuation status. All residents are advised to monitor fire danger in their area. For more information: Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK | Official Website (fnsb.gov); Find My Neighborhood (arcgis.com)

CLOSURES: Alaska State Parks has closed the Olnes Pond campground to support fire operations. The BLM Eastern Interior Field Office issued an evacuation and closure order for the western portion of the White Mountains National Recreation Area. See: Alaska Fire Restrictions | Bureau of Land Management (blm.gov).

AIR QUALITY ADVISORY: Any community adjacent to an active fire may experience periods of degraded air quality. For smoke forecast and air quality measures, see Fire and Smoke Map (airnow.gov).

TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS (TFR) are in effect until September 9, 2023. For details, see: 3/4417 NOTAM Details (faa.gov).

Start Date: July 28, 2023                         

Location: 22 miles N of Fairbanks, AK

Cause: Lightning                                       

Fire Size: 9,505 acres

Containment: 16%                                                            

Total Personnel: 345

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