FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Cooler weather has finally reached Eagle, allowing crews to expand protective measures on properties and areas near Eagle. The Sinnott Fire (#382), burning in steep terrain about 4 miles northwest of Eagle, has shown little growth and minimal activity. It is now burning more along ridge tops toward the Boulder Creek drainage and the Yukon River, and to the north.

Efforts are underway to widen the masticated fire break that runs parallel to American Creek, south of Mission Creek, and west of Eagle. The Village of Eagle’s masticator, usually used for creating proactive fuel breaks, is re-opening dozer lines installed in 2004. Using chainsaws, the Yukon Crew and Denali Wildland Fire Module are extending the fire break on the southern end by the Taylor Highway, creating a shaded fuel break that leaves some larger white spruce and birch trees standing. The fire break will be about 2.5 miles long when complete.

Crews are also assessing protection measures for a Native allotment west of American Creek and south of the trail that extends northwest of Eagle. The Yukon Crew and Denali Wildland Fire Module are both Chugachmiut fire teams based in the Kenai Peninsula.

Firefighters will continue to assess other properties and Native allotments to identify additional sites that might need protection and develop plans to safeguard them.

Weather Forecast:  Temperatures have substantially decreased from the 89 degrees recorded in Eagle on Friday. There is a chance of isolated showers as a front moves across the Eastern Interior on Saturday, with possible rain accumulation up to 0.2 inches. A quarter inch of rain is predicted for Sunday morning. Temperatures will range from the 50s to low 60s, with humidity levels above 40%. Winds are expected to be light throughout the weekend.

Status of the Dome Fire near the Taylor Highway: Firefighters and equipment have demobilized from the Dome Fire (#386) burning west of the Taylor Highway near mile 117 after it was contained. The 3-acre fire is still considered active, but fire managers are confident it will stay within its control lines. However, motorists may still see smoke coming from this wildfire burning next to the highway.

Contact BLM AFS Public Affairs Specialist Beth Ipsen at (907)388-2159 or eipsen@blm.gov for more information.

-BLM-

Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Service, P.O. Box 35005 1541 Gaffney Road, Fort Wainwright, Ak 99703

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The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (AFS) located at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, provides wildland fire suppression services for over 240 million acres of Department of the Interior and Native Corporation Lands in Alaska. In addition, AFS has other statewide responsibilities that include: interpretation of fire management policy; oversight of the BLM Alaska Aviation program; fuels management projects; and operating and maintaining advanced communication and computer systems such as the Alaska Lightning Detection System. AFS also maintains a National Incident Support Cache with a $23  million inventory. The Alaska Fire Service provides wildland fire suppression services for America’s “Last Frontier” on an interagency basis with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Military in Alaska.

Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service

Tags: Sinnott Fire