With higher temperatures and north and west winds, the Ninetyeight Fire (#218) saw slight increases in fire activity on Saturday, with some light torching on the southwest side.Helicopter bucket drops were used to cool hot spots near Mile 34, and crews with water pumps, hoses, and saws worked the area and headed west. Crews assessed fire line and continued to mop up hot spots. Crews are nearing completing of preparation work on Alaska Native allotments and are now doing additional mop up to bolster line depth.
Today, firefighters will work in the southwest corner to scout out and extinguish hotspots, and mop up behind structures near Mile 37, working towards Mile 39 to bolster the eastern flank of the fire. Helicopter bucket drops will be conducted again today. A map produced using satellite imagery from last night which shows areas of heat will assist firefighters in finding and treating these areas.
Isolated showers will be possible beginning this afternoon, this thunderstorm activity increasing Monday into Wednesday. Atmospheric instability increases the next several afternoons with an inversion trapping smoke at night. All of this adds up for the potential for more active fire conditions during the peak burning periods.
A Level 1 “READY” Evacuation remains in effect for the Salcha River corridor (Upper, Middle and Lower Salcha River evacuation zones). Level 1 means “BE READY” for potential evacuation. Residents should be aware of danger in their area and monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information.
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
Additional information on wildfires across Alaska, including the Ninetyeight Fire, can be found at: https://akfireinfo.com/ or by calling: (907) 356-5511.
Learn more at akfireinfo.com, and on Facebook (@BLMAFS).
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 