(Fairbanks, AK) – Firefighters working on the Lost Horse Creek Fire (#296) continue to meet objectives, leading to an increase in containment to 21%. With the increase in containment, crews will begin to backhaul hose, pumps, and other equipment no longer needed. Residents in the Haystack community should expect to see firefighters working to remove structure protection equipment over the next few days.
An excavator is conducting suppression repair work on the indirect dozer line east of Middle Fork Road. The repair work includes replacing tundra material removed during the early days of the fire as a measure to protect homes in the Haystack Community. The Chatanika indirect line immediately north of Leuthold Drive and Elk Street is expected to be completed Sunday evening. A resource advisor is working closely with heavy equipment operators on both lines to ensure that little to no impact is made to the permafrost layer.
Work in the Haystack 2021 burn scar is nearing completion. Firefighters will spend a significant portion of the day gridding 300ft both east and west of the fire’s edge. Gridding is done to locate and extinguish any remaining pockets of heat that may be present. This work is expected to be completed by the end of today. On the southwest corner of the fire perimeter, crews are bone piling vegetation removed during direct fire suppression efforts and gridding for hotspots. As this work is completed, firefighters will begin to pull hose and equipment from the line.
WEATHER: Light rainfall is possible in and around the fire area today with temperatures in the low to mid 50s. Winds will be west-southwest around 10 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
EVACUATIONS: All communities near the Lost Horse Creek Fire are at Level 1 (READY). Residents should stay vigilant and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. For more information: Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK | Official Website (fnsb.gov); Find My Neighborhood (arcgis.com)
CLOSURES: Olnes Pond campground is closed in order to support fire operations. There is no set time to reopen the area for public use. The western portion of the White Mountains National Recreation Area is closed per the BLM Eastern Interior Field Office. Alaska Fire Restrictions | Bureau of Land Management (blm.gov).
AIR QUALITY ADVISORY: Fire activity has been minimal with no smoke production for almost a week. Air quality may be checked at any time by visiting Fire and Smoke Map (airnow.gov).
TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION (TFR) is in effect until August 26, 2023. For details, visit 3/4417 NOTAM Details (tfr.faa.gov).
Public Information: (907) 921- 2555
Media Inquiries: (907) 921- 2554
Email: 2023.LostHorseCreek@firenet.gov
You Tube: www.youtube.com/AlaskaDNRDOF
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Categories: AK Fire Info
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 