This is a report on fires occurring in Division of Alaska Forestry & Fire Protection northern and coastal areas. These include the DOF protection areas of Kenai/Kodiak, Southwest, Mat-Su, Valdez/Copper River, Fairbanks, Delta, and Tok.
There was one new fire reported Thursday in DOF’s prevention areas, it was located on the end of the Homer Spit. The Homer Harbor Master reported a coal seam smoldering. Multiple DOF engines responded to the Coal Spit Fire (#362) and emptied their water supplies on the tenth of an acre fire. They contained and controlled the fire and placed it into monitor status.
Wetting rain is forecast to move into southwest Alaska Friday and work its way east along the coast into the weekend. South and southeast winds will increase as the front moves across the western Gulf. Winds can be especially strong on the Kenai Peninsula Friday through Saturday. Isolated thunderstorms will develop over the northern and eastern Interior Friday afternoon and evening. Gusty winds in the Alaska Range passes Friday and Saturday along with low relative humidities will bring a wind advisory and near Red Flag conditions to Delta Junction.
Burn Permits are required statewide Friday but call your local Burn Permit Hotline as conditions change in your area. Valid Burn Permits allow residents to conduct small debris burns, utilize burn barrels and complete small lawn burns. More information about the DOF Burn Permit program and current suspensions can be found at https://dnr.alaska.gov/burn
DOF continues to staff two fires.
Montana Creek Fire (#312) – Located 16 miles south of Talkeetna and is 159 acres with 100% containment. DOF Gannett Glacier Fire Crew has been diligently wrapping up operations. On Thursday, they performed green gridding around the fire perimeter, ensuring no areas of heat exist outside containment lines. They also performed cold trailing, a meticulous process which involves thoroughly checking and extinguishing any lingering hotspots on the fire. The crew will continue to suppress the fire, seeking out all areas of heat until it is fully out.
The community’s patience and cooperation are appreciated. Gannett Glacier’s efforts, combined with favorable weather, have allowed them to make progress toward the goal of securing the fire. Residents are reminded to exercise caution when re-entering the affected area.
Gold King Creek Fire (#276) – located 46 miles south of Fairbanks in a limited response area and is estimated to be 6,002 acres. 28 personnel are assigned. The area of the fire has not received significant rain recently and a concern for an increase in fire activity still exists. Chugachmiut Yukon Crew and the Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS/drone) Module remain assigned to the incident. The main objective remains to be structure protection for the cabin community of Gold King and keeping the fire west of Gold King Creek. 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 