10:00 PM Update: Located 10 miles south of Crooked Creek and 35 miles west of Sleetmute, the Oskawalik Fire (#122) has grown to more than 300 acres. A 16-person fuels mitigation crew from McGrath joined the 24 smokejumpers (2 loads) and 5 helitack crew members early this evening to help suppress the wildfire. They were transported via aircraft to Crooked Creek and then shuttled by boat. Firefighters remained focused on securing the anchor point of the fire and assessing structure protection needs.
The two single engine air tankers continued dropping water on the fire and will rest overnight in McGrath so these water-scooping airplanes can be available tomorrow morning for support. Tanker 544 returned to Palmer after several retardant drops today. Alaska Smokejumpers dropped para cargo that included portable pumps and hoses.
Additional Resources will be arriving to support the incident as Chena Interagency Hotshot Crew and a Type 2 Initial Attack Handcrew are scheduled to arrive tomorrow.
The Oskawalik Fire is being managed by Incident Commander Laura Lund from McGrath. The cause of the fire has yet to be undetermined. Updates will be provided tomorrow morning and throughout the day.
6:00 PM Update: Steady winds have pushed the Oskawalik Fire (#122) to an estimated size of 200 to 250 acres despite continuous efforts from aircraft and ground resources. Cabins and native allotments are at risk from this wind-driven wildfire.
Twelve smokejumpers and five Helitack crew members are on the ground securing the edge of the fire and assessing values at risk. Air support from McGrath Helicopter 8PA with water drops and Tanker 544 with four loads of retardant so far are assisting ground personnel in this full-suppression effort. Two single engine air tankers (AT802 Air Tractors) have arrived at the incident and are providing water drops.
A resource order is in place for two, Type 1 Interagency Hotshot Crew and two, Type 2 Handcrews (Southwest #1 and #2 from the Coastal Region). Two boats with boat operators will also be assigned to the fire to provide crew shuttles and logistical support.
2:37 PM update: Air attack estimated the fire to be 100 acres. Smokejumpers and water scooping aircraft are en route to the incident.
Initial Post 2:00 PM
A new wildfire was reported June 14th in the McGrath Area near the Kuskokwim River, 35 miles west of Sleetmute. The Oskawalik Fire (#122) is estimated to be 30 to 40 acres with active surface fire, isolated torching and 10 to 20 mph winds according to the initial size up from McGrath Helitack. The wildfire is in a full suppression management option on Kuskokwim Native Corporation Land. One allotment is threatened and may have already been impacted by the fire.
The initial attack featured McGrath Helitack and Tanker 544. After inserting a load of five helitack personnel, the helicopter utilized a bucket for water drops to secure the anchor of the fire. Tanker 544 and Aerial Supervision Module (ASM) supported ground personnel by dropping fire retardant on the right flank.
One load of smokejumpers and water scooping aircraft were requested to respond. Tanker 544 is the first AK DOF air tanker launched from Palmer this season in support of fire suppression.
This post will be updated as more information becomes available.
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 