This is a report on fires occurring in Division of Alaska Forestry & Fire Protection northern protection areas, generally north of the Alaska Range. These include the DOF Prevention areas of Fairbanks, Delta Junction and Tok.
There were no new fires reported in the DOF Northern Region on Monday, as temperatures cooled, and clouds moved in with scattered rain showers. Clouds and some showers will persist Tuesday morning over the southern Interior, across the Yukon Flats and into the Fortymile country.
A Red Flag Warning will be in affect Tuesday for northern Interior areas from 2:00 PM through midnight for high temperatures, low relative humidities and strong, gusty winds. Winds will continue overnight and increase Wednesday as a stronger front moves in. This is a concern for the possible spread of existing and new fires.
Air quality will improve for the Interior as the southwest winds increase, pushing the smoke to the east. These winds could increase fire activity and smoke production, creating localized impacts down wind. Smoke is not expected to settle in valleys overnight as winds continue through Wednesday. For Tuesday’s smoke/air quality outlook follow this link: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/917091b7
Fire danger has moderated in the DOF Tok Prevention Area leading to rescinding the suspension of Burn Permits. You can find more information about the Forestry Burn Permit program and suspensions at https://dnr.alaska.gov/burn
Firefighters continued working Monday on three staffed fires in the DOF Fairbanks Area.
Shaw Creek Dome Fire (#326), 19.25 miles northeast of Big Delta located in a full response area and is estimated to be 11 acres with 6 personnel assigned. Two, twin engine water scooping aircraft worked through two fuel cycles Monday morning knocking down the fire. DOF Delta helitack deployed its six firefighting crew members who hiked to the fire to clear trees for a helicopter landing zone. After completing the landing zone, firefighters started mopping up and securing the fire’s edge where scoopers had been effective with their water drops. The helitack crew spent the night on the fire. The scoopers have been requested to return Tuesday morning and DOF Suppression Module White Mountain is mobilizing and will be shuttled to the fire later in the day.
Last Chance Creek Fire (#305) – 11 miles east of Fox near Fort Knox Gold Mine in a full response area. The fire is estimated to be 1-acre with 16 personnel assigned. The dozer completed clearing a line around the perimeter of the fire. Firefighters completed their hose lay, encircling the fire and started mopping up a wide swath into the burned area along the fire’s edge. Clearing this area of all burnable vegetation and extinguishing all areas of heat will prevent the fire from escaping. DOF Fairbanks 1 crew is mobilizing to the fire Tuesday to replaced smokejumpers who will return to their base where they will rest and refurbish their equipment to be available to respond to new fires.
Gold King Creek Fire (#276) – 46 miles south of Fairbanks in a limited response area and is estimated to be 2,914 acres. A new mapping survey of the fire has led to a reduction in reported acres. There are 34 personnel assigned. Smokejumpers and the Chugachmiut Yukon crew continue to improve their indirect lines and testing their pump and hose lays in place to protect the structures in the cabin community of Gold King. The fire has burned up to the western bank of Gold King Creek. The cabin community is along the eastern side of the creek. The UAS module flew their un-crewed craft to scout for additional values that may be impacted if significant fire activity occurs. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Gold King Creek Fire for the safe operation of firefighting aircraft. Pilots should check here, https://tfr.faa.gov/, before flying in the area.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 