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DOF firefighters are responding to a new fire north of Fairbanks along the Chatanika River

By Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection on July 3, 2024

5:15 PM Update – Firefighters have a saw line cut around the entire fire, estimated to be 1.3 acres. Pumps and hose lays are being set up on the saw line. The Fire Bosses have been released. The helicopter circled the fire before being released and reported things looked good and there were no visible flames. Twenty-two firefighters will work into the evening extinguishing hot spots and securing the perimeter. They will spend the night on the fire. National Weather Service radar shows rain moving in the area of the fire.

This is a photograph showing smoke rising from a wildland fire in a forested area. — Smoke rises from the Sargent Creek Fire (#345) along the Chatanika River on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, north of Fairbanks. This aerial photograph was made from helitack as they were responding to the fie. Dylan Howard/DOF

This will be the last update this evening unless there is a significant change in activity. 2:00 PM Update – Firefighters of the Unaweep Wildland Fire Module responding from the Grapefruit Complex are using boats to access the two-acre Sargent Creek Fire (#345) that is burning south of Chatanika River mile 80.5, about 2.25 miles west of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. The Elliot Highway Chatanika bridge is river mile 83.75. The three Fire Bosses and a helicopter have dropped water to knock down the fire. They report fire behavior to be minimal with no more visible flames on the south end. Smokejumpers and helitack crewmembers are constructing saw line starting on the southern end and working up the flanks of the fire. Strong winds have pushed the fire towards the Chatanika. Firefighters are aware of cabins along the river about a mile east of the fire near the confluence of Sargent Creek and the Chatanika. The Hays Creek area placed into Ready Alert status because of recent Old Murphy Dome Rd Fire (#245) remain in effect.

A satellite image map showing the location of a wildland fire. — Public Information Map of the Sargent Creek Fire (#345) for Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Click on the map to download a PDF file to enlarge or print.

12:30 PM Update – Multiple reports of a smoke column south of the Chatanika River, west of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline were received by the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection. DOF Fairbanks helitack is responding along with three Fire Boss single engine water dropping aircraft. An engine and firefighters from the Grapefruit Complex further north on the Elliot Highway are also responding. Eight smokekjumpers have parachuted to the fire.

This will be updated as more information becomes available.