Scattered rain showers started Thursday evening and continued into Friday morning on the Popovich Creek Coal Seam Fire (#067) accumulating .06 inches by 11:00 AM Friday. The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection White Mountain Crew and Fairbanks Area engine were released from the fire Friday morning along with two dozers and a water tender from the North Star Volunteer Fire Department. Cooler weather and rain have moderated fire behavior on the fire and nearby Sanderson Creek Coal Seam Fire (#084). The Popovich Creek fire is 65% contained and remains at an estimated 3,954 acres, the Sanderson Creek fire remains at 195 acres.
The remaining crews, DOF Pioneer Peak Hotshots and BLM Alaska Fire Service Chena Hotshots will pull all hose, pumps, equipment and trash off the fireline and build sling loads to be long lined by helicopters to the stagging area. DOF Warehouse technicians and hotshot crew members at the staging area will load pallets for backhaul to Fairbanks. The hotshot crews will demobilize Saturday once everything is clear of the fire area.
The fires will be placed into monitor status. This will be the last update unless significant activity occurs.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 