Thursday’s weather is forecast to be similar to Wednesday across Southwest Alaska. The coast will remain cooler, unsettled, and moist the next few days. Inland areas will be warmer and relative drier over the next few days. Unlike the last few afternoons, the air will be more stable over the next few days. There will be the chance for daytime showers over the inland areas the next few afternoons, especially along the Western Alaska Range. Chances for lightning strikes are low due to the more stable air.
A detection flight Wednesday in Southwest Alaska discovered a new fire that had about burned itself out. Quinn Creek Fire (#284), 22 miles west of the village of Crooked Creek is in a modified response area. The fire was estimated to be 3,700 acres and the perimeter appeared cold with no active burning along the edge of the fire. It was smoldering in the middle of the fire. The cause of the fire has not been determined; it will be placed into monitor status.
A structure fire in Ophir spread into the wildland. McGrath helitack and a Firehawk helicopter responded. Helitack deployed its firefighting crew members and both helicopters provided bucket drops to control and contain the Anvil Creek Fire (#279) to .1 acre.
Below is an update of action taken Wednesday on fires managed by the Type 3 organization in Southwest Alaska now known as the Red Devil Group. Personnel assigned and acreages have been updated to reflect the most recent numbers.
Cribby Creek Fire (#201) – 3 miles north of Red Devil is burning in a modified response area. Improved mapping has reduced the acreage; it is now estimated to be 91 acres with 10% containment. 46 personnel are currently assigned. The Del Rosa Hotshot crew is working to protect the Native allotment to the west of the fire. The Laguna Hotshots scouted the east side of the fire but were not able to work along the fires edge due to high winds and the danger of falling trees. High winds are not forecast for Thursday and should allow firefighters to work to secure the east side of the fire.
South Fork George River Fire (#172) – 8.5 miles northeast of Georgetown in a modified response area and is estimated to be 7,218 acres. 20 personnel assigned. Chena Hotshots have completed a fire line plumbed with a hose lay on the south and southeast flank of the fire. The helicopter assigned to the Red Devil Group did bucket work on hotspots throughout the day. Firefighters continue to improve protection measures for an allotment east of the fire.
Portage Fire (#169) – 5.5 miles southwest of Georgetown, south of the Kuskokwim River, in a full response area. Mapping has reduced the acres; it is now estimated to be 859 acres. 33 personnel assigned. Firefighters continue to construct saw line, set up pumps and hose lays. Assessments of allotments are continuing. Crews reported little fire activity near the allotment to the east of the fire.
Additional staffed fires in Southwest Alaska are listed below with Wednesday updates to suppression efforts, personnel, and acreage.
Mission Road Fire (#258) is a human caused fire that started in the Quinhagak dump. Satellite mapping estimates the size to be 156 acres. 4 personnel assigned. Firefighters walked the perimeter of the fire and found no areas of heat or visible smoke in the burned area within 50-feet of the fire’s edge. The fire is controlled and contained. Light precipitation was reported with steady southerly winds and gusts to 30 mph. The fire was monitored throughout the day. Firefighters will make a final grid Thursday and plan to demobilize if the remains inactive.
Little Tonzona River Fire (#265) – 15.25 miles southeast of Nikolai along the Little Tonzona River. It is estimated it to be .7 acres. The fire is located in a full response area. Initial attack by McGrath helitack and a Firehawk helicopter controlled, contained, and called the fire out. This will be the last update for this fire.
Ivy Creek Fire (#156) – 14.5 miles north of McGrath in a modified response area and is estimated to be 72 acres with 98% containment. 21 personnel assigned. Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection firefighters gridded 100 feet into the burned area along the fire’s perimeter and found no heat or smoke that will threaten containment. One interior smoke was visible but will not threaten containment. Backhaul of equipment, supplies and trash along with demobilization of personnel are planned for Thursday.
There are 27 additional fires burning in limited management areas that will continue to be monitored by the Southwest Area DOF office. The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection will continue to share information about the fires in Southwest Alaska as it becomes available from reconnaissance flights and ground resources.
For more information on fire response management options in Alaska, visit https://forestry.alaska.gov/fire/fireplans.
For more information on active fires in Alaska, read the daily Alaska Interagency Coordination Center Situation Report found online here, https://fire.ak.blm.gov/content/aicc/sitreport/AICC%20Situation%20Report.pdf
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 