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DOF responded to a new fire in the Northern Region as cooler temperatures and wide-spread rain showers move across the state

By Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection on July 4, 2024

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.

Rain will continue to move deeper into the Interior Thursday with many areas receiving wetting rains, a wetting rain is considered one tenth of inch or more. Gusty winds continue through the weekend, weaker than Wednesday’s. Rain chances diminish slightly Friday morning, but another low-pressure system moves in Friday night into Saturday morning bringing another round of rains. High temperatures are expected to be in the 50s to 60s range with minimum relative humidities above 40% in most places. The Upper Tanana Valley and areas near the Alcan border are forecast to be the driest. No thunderstorms are expected through the weekend.

Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection responded to a new fire Wednesday afternoon reported by a passing pilot and multiple callers. The lightning caused Sargent Creek Fire (#345) is south of the Chatanika River about 3.5 miles downstream from the Elliot Highway Chatanika bridge. DOF Fairbanks helitack engines, smokejumpers, and three Fire Boss water scoopers along with a module of firefighters and an engine from the Grapefruit complex located further north on the Elliot Highway descended on the 1.3-acre fire. The Fire Bosses and helicopter knocked down the fire with a large amount of water while firefighters worked to secure the perimeter. The fire was called contained and controlled Wednesday evening. Firefighters remained overnight and will continue Thursday to extinguish hot spots and improve their containment lines.

this photo shows a firefighter walking through the trees in a wildland fire area — Fairbanks Helitack Foreman Dylan Howard walks the line on the Sargent Creek Fire (#345), Wednesday, July 3. Howard worked as Incident Commander during initial attack of the fire. Photo by Dane Smigleski/DOF

Air quality will continue to improve as the forecasted weather moves across the state. Smoke that pushed east along the Tanana River valley towards Canada should clear Thursday afternoon. Lingering smoke may enhance any fog that forms, which could potentially impact visibility. For Thursday’s smoke/air quality outlook follow this link: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/917091b7

Firefighters continued working Wednesday on three staffed fires in the DOF Northern Region.

A map of wildland fires in the northern region of Alaska — Public Information Map of DOF Northern Region new and active fires for Thursday, July 4, 2024. Click on the map to download a PDF

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 15 personnel assigned. DOF Suppression Module White Mountain and Delta helitack crewmembers secured the fire’s edge along the right flank Wednesday with a saw line, pumps and hose lays. Firefighters moved to the left flank where there were areas of smoldering and smoking. They worked to extinguish the hot spots and secure the left side of the fire. Personnel will continue this work Thursday working into the burned area 20-ft from the fire’s edge to remove all burnable vegetation and extinguishing areas of heat.

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 26 personnel assigned. DOF Fairbanks 1 crew cleared hazardous trees and extinguished hot spots around the fire Wednesday. Firefighters will continue to remove hazardous trees Thursday to make a safe environment for mop up work and securing the fire’s edge. The fire continues to creep and smolder as gusty winds fan the fire and dry vegetation. The winds are also a concern for toppling fire weakened trees in areas where firefighters are working.

this photo shows firefighters and a helicopter on an open area near a wildland fire — Firefighters load gear onto a helicopter for transport on the Last Chance Creek Fire (#305) on Friday, June 28. Photo by Earnest Prax, Incident Commander/DOF

Gold King Creek Fire (#276) – 46 miles south of Fairbanks in a limited response area. The UAS Module using their un-crewed aircraft were able to more accurately map the fire, reporting it to be 6,000 acres. 34 personnel are assigned. Additional precipitation fell on the fire Wednesday, moderating the active portion of the fire’s west side. The fire has burned up to the banks of Gold King Creek. The Gold King cabin community is across the creek to the east. 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.