A change in the weather has moderated the Popovich Creek Coal Seam Fire (#067) and nearby Sanderson Creek Coal Seam Fire (#084), both northeast of Healy. Popovich Creek remains at an estimated 3,954 acres with 50% containment and Sanderson Creek is more than195 acres due a little growth since Wednesday. Numerous, scattered showers moved into the area Thursday with cooler temperatures expected to last into Friday. The scattered showers have led fire managers to cancel plans to conduct burn operations on the northern end of the Popovich Creek fire. Crews will instead mop up the fire’s edge and grid search into the burned area. This will ensure there are no lingering hotspots that could later flare up and compromise containment lines. Excess equipment and trash will be gathered in preparation of backhaul and eventual demobilization of personnel.
Reconnaissance flights Thursday will confirm plans for placing the fires in monitor status over the weekend or early next week. Privately owned structures have been identified north of the Sanderson Creek fire and point protection is being planned should the fire actively spread in their direction. The Sanderson Creek fire is in an area for a Limited response, as designated by the Alaska Interagency Wildland Fire Management Plan. A Limited response is for broad areas of wilderness with few valuable assets to be protected. This allows for fire to function in its natural, ecological role that is important for the health of Alaska’s boreal forests.
Easterly waves of showers will continue to move over the northern Denali Borough this weekend and early next week with high temperatures in the 50’s lows in the 30’s.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 