With cooler temperatures and scattered rain showers forecast across regions in southern Alaska, the risk of initial attack fires locally for the upcoming holiday weekend has lessened. On Tuesday, there were 2 new initial attack fires across the response area. The Dog Sled Fire (#342) and the Metal Creek Fire (#344) were quickly suppressed by firefighters at 0.1 acre each. Neither fire posed a threat to the public or lands protected by the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection.
With Fourth of July fast approaching, the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection would like to remind you to exercise extreme caution with any fire or fireworks in the coming days. There are several ongoing major incidents on the landscape and fire-fighting resources are stretched thin. In the current conditions, any sources of ignition can quickly become a large and destructive wildfire. As a reminder, fireworks are not allowed in the Kenai Borough and Mat-Su Boroughs. Thank you for helping keep yourself, your neighbors, and your local first responders safe this Fourth of July.
Fire danger has moderated in the DOF Valdez-Copper River Prevention Area. Burn permit suspensions have lifted meaning small debris burns, the use of burn barrels, or small lawn burns are allowed with a small-scale burn permit. You can find more information about the DOF Burn Permit program and suspensions at https://dnr.alaska.gov/burn
Listed below are fires the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection are currently managing.
Dog Sled Fire (#342)– The Dog Sled Fire, 15 miles south of Talkeetna, was reported in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Upon arrival, first responders found a structure on fire that posed a threat to the wildland. Working in mutual aid with the Talkeetna and Willow Fire Departments, firefighters took quick action to contain the fire that had spread to the wildland. The fire was safely contained at 0.1 acre and posed no threats to the surrounding area.
Metal Creek Fire (#344)- 22 miles southeast of Palmer, the Metal Creek Fire was reported to be burning in grass and brush and approximately 0.1 acre in size by aviation in the area. Helicopter deployed firefighters quickly took action and found the fire to be caused by an escaped campfire. The fire was safely contained at 0.1 acre with the use of helicopter water drops and firefighters on the ground. The fire was called controlled in the early evening hours and helicopter fire crews returned to quarters for the night.
Tustumena Lake Fire (#311) – The 35 acre, Tustumena Lake Fire, 20 miles south of Soldotna, has been 100% contained and poses no threat to the public.
On Tuesday, crews continued to reinforce suppression lines around the fire perimeter and continued to mop up hot spots and areas of concern with pumps and hose lays. The smoke jumpers that were part of the initial attack response force have been released and will be assigned to any new fire starts. The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection’s Pioneer Peak Hotshots, a 20-person type 1 fire crew, arrived on Tuesday to assist with suppression and mop up in the heavy and downed timber and thick stands of black spruce.
The Slack Water boat launch on the Kasilof River and the Tustumena Campground reopened at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, July 02. The Centennial Lake campground remains closed as firefighters utilize it to stage supplies and equipment for fire suppression efforts.
Smoke and aviation resources will continue to be seen from the Tustumena Lake Road corridor as aviation resources support firefighters on the ground from the Centennial Lake area. However, the fire poses no threat to the residents of the Kenai Peninsula Borough at this time. For more information regarding the impact to the community please visit info.kpb.us This is the one-stop hub site for ready,set,go, know-your-zones and other response information.
American Creek Fire (#143) – 25 miles northeast of King Salmon, this lightning caused fire is burning in a limited response area and is estimated to be 4,650 acres. The fire showed minimal growth overnight due to reduced daytime temperatures and intermittent rain showers. Fire managers will continue to monitor the fire closely, allowing the fire to serve its natural roll on the landscape while taking advantage of geographic barriers and areas of reduced vegetation which will minimize fire behavior and the threat it poses to values in the area.
With cooler temperatures and higher humidity across southwest Alaska on Sunday, the Type 3 organization known as the Red Devil Group continues to work on containing multiple fires within their response areas. Personnel assigned and acreages have been updated to reflect the most recent numbers over the past 24 hours.
Cribby Creek Fire (#201) – 3 miles north of Red Devil, the fire is burning in a modified response area and is estimated to be 91 acres with 10% containment. 46 personnel are currently assigned to the fire. The Del Rosa and Laguna Hotshots continue to protect Native allotments along the Kuskokwim River across from Red Devil using hand lines and pumps with hose lays for additional water support. The Laguna Hotshots will be released from the fire in the next 24 hours and will be reassigned to other fires in the region as the workload decreases and fire managers right size the firefighting organization.
Portage Fire (#169) – 5.5 miles southwest of Georgetown, south of the Kuskokwim River, is a full response area fire and is estimated to be 823 acres. The fire saw minimal growth on Tuesday due to cooler temperatures and intermittent rain showers over the fire area. A U.S. Forest Service Type 2 initial attack crew continues to secure and reinforce the northern perimeter keeping the fire from spreading into resources of value. 33 personnel are currently assigned to the incident.
Categories: Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 