This morning, a Type 3 incident management team took command of the Ninetyeight Fire (#218), which is burning north of the Salcha River.
The Ninetyeight Fire is currently estimated at 3,743 acres. On Tuesday, the fire’s eastern edge did not show any real heat in the open tundra area and there was no northward progression on that side. There is creeping and smoldering with some isolated torching in pockets along the southern edge of the fire along the river (though not near cabins), as well as creeping and smoldering in spruce along the western edge in the terrain.
Protection of structures and Alaska Native allotments continues to be a primary concern. Firefighters will continue to bolster protection of structures and Alaska Native allotments on the east side of the fire, cutting and prepping line, and and will mop up along the southern edge of the fire closest to structures from river mile 36 to 38. Firefighters will also work to secure line deeper into the fire’s perimeter in areas of white spruce, and assess natural barriers behind Alaska Native allotments. Crews are working hard to keep the fire north of the Salcha River.
Scattered precipitation is expected to continue for the next several days, with wetting rains possible by Thursday.
A Level 2 “SET“ Evacuation remains in effect for the Middle Salcha River Miles 33-52. Fairbanks North Star Borough issued the Level 2 alert Friday night due to the proximity of structures to the Ninetyeight Fire. If there is a drastic change in current and expected fire direction, residents and visitors need to be prepared to evacuate.
The evacuation map and other information can be found on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Operations website.
Text WILDFIRES to 67283 to receive text notifications or go to: smart911.com
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 