Fire managers are monitoring several new starts across Southwest Alaska, sparked under dry, warm conditions and a recent round of thunderstorm. Here’s a quick look at recent wildfire activity in the region:
Ganes Creek Fire (#151)
Located approximately 30 miles east of McGrath, this four-acre fire was reported by a local resident and was burning in black spruce and hardwood. Helitack firefighters were deployed to this fire on Monday. They contained and controlled the fire and are finishing their mop-up of hotspots. They will make a final grid of the fire, cold trailing for heat to make sure it is 100% out before returning to base later Wednesday.
Porcupine Fire (#178)
The 0.1-acre fire was discovered Tuesday by a helicopter on a supply run to another fire. It is located 10 miles east of McGrath. Helitack responded and worked the fire until it was 100% extinguished. The fire that has been declared contained and out.
Telidaside Fire (#137)
Discovered on Monday by satellite and confirmed by reconnaissance aircraft, this estimated 500-acre wildfire is located 37 miles from Telida and is actively burning in tundra and black spruce, pushed by west winds. Wednesday, a team of firefighters are going to assess the fire and prepare structures for protection. This involves clearing brush around structures to create a defensible space.
Tango Fire (#164)
The 58.7-acres fire was detected by satellite Tuesday and is burning just off of Tango Creek in a limited protection area. Fires in Lmited protection areas are allowed progress in their natural ecological role where there is a low density and wide distribution of values to be protected.
Nowitna River Fire (#163)
A small 0.1-acre fire discovered Tuesday approximately 60 miles north of McGrath has been found burning in a Limited protection zone. It will be monitored by Ariel resources.
Our Creek Fire (#156)
Reported Tuesday at 34.6 acres, this fire is situated just west of the Nowitna River and is actively burning in a limited protection area.
Little Selatna Fire (#170)
Found on Tuesday and reported at one acre in size, this fire is burning in a Modified protection area. just north of the Little Selatna River. No crews are currently assigned. Fires in Modified protection areas are made a priority after the response to protect values in Critical and Full protection areas.
Fire officials will continue monitoring these fires and adjust suppression priorities as conditions evolve. Most of the new starts are in remote areas, with low threat to values at this time.
The fire and land management agencies have agreed to a statewide plan with four response levels, ranging from very aggressive initial attack to site-specific protection that allows fire to continue to play its vital role in the ecosystem (Critical, Full, Modified, Limited described in the Alaska Interagency Wildland Fire Management Plan)
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 