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Water scoopers, more firefighters mobilizing to protect cabins from McDonald Fire southeast of Fairbanks

By BLM Alaska Fire Service on June 10, 2024

Map of the McDonald Fire burning about 31 miles southeast of Fairbanks in the corner of the Tanana Flats Training Area. Click on link for PDF version of fire.

(FAIRBANKS, Alaska) – BLM Alaska Fire Service smokejumpers and water scoopers mobilized Monday afternoon to protect a group of cabins threatened as the McDonald Fire (#119) continues to grow despite moderated conditions. The fire was estimated at about 24,000 acres Monday afternoon as it continues to burn through black spruce in the Tanana Flats southeast of Fairbanks. Smoke is impacting visibility in the area hindering smokejumper response. Instead, the eight smokejumpers landed on a sand bar at the confluence of the Salcha and Tanana rivers and are getting shuttled in via a boat. Water scoopers were busy dropping water to cool the fire’s edge closest to the cabins south of the training range along 5 Mile Creek, or Clear Creek as others may know it.

Additional firefighters, including the BLM AFS Midnight Sun Hotshots and the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection’s White Mountain Crew, are being mobilized to protect the 20 cabins along 5 Mile Creek.

A wall of smoke rising up for a forest fire in back of a braided river. — Estimated at about 24,000 acres, the McDonald Fire has burned west and is at the edge of the Tanana River. It is also threatening a string of cabins along 5 Mile Creek south of the Tanana Flats Training Area. This photo was taken by a midday flight over the fire area on Monday, June 10. Photo by Lakota Burwell, BLM AFS

Despite the cooler temperatures following red flag conditions over the weekend, the fire continues to be very active – this time on the south and northern sides as it crossed the boundary of the training range into state lands. A westerly wind is also carrying smoke and sometimes ash that has impacted the communities along the Richardson Highway. Click here for air quality information including some steps protect people from wildfire smoke.

The lightning-caused fire has reached the edge of the braided Tanana River around mile post 315 Richardson Highway, according to a firefighter who flew over the area earlier today.

There’s a 70% chance of rain tonight and more moisture predicted in the upcoming days with hopes it will be enough to moderate the fire.

People recreating or living in the Harding Lake area will see an increase in activity from a staging area at a campground. That includes a point to shuttle firefighters and equipment closer to the fire.

Smoke wafts up from a burned area with mountains in the background. — The north and south sides of the McDonald Fire have been very active despite cooler temperatures Monday. The fire is now estimated at 24,000 acres. This photo was taken by a midday flight over the fire area on Monday, June 10. Photo by Lakota Burwell, BLM AFS

Contact BLM AFS Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen at (907)356-5510, (907)388-2159 or eipsen@blm.gov for more information.

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Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Service, P.O. Box 35005 1541 Gaffney Road, Fort Wainwright, Ak 99703

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The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (AFS) located at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, provides wildland fire suppression services for over 240 million acres of Department of the Interior and Native Corporation Lands in Alaska. In addition, AFS has other statewide responsibilities that include: interpretation of fire management policy; oversight of the BLM Alaska Aviation program; fuels management projects; and operating and maintaining advanced communication and computer systems such as the Alaska Lightning Detection System. AFS also maintains a National Incident Support Cache with a $18.1 million inventory. The Alaska Fire Service provides wildland fire suppression services for America’s “Last Frontier” on an interagency basis with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Military in Alaska.