High heat and low humidity contributed to active fire behavior on the Ninetyeight Fire (#218) yesterday, with another significant push to the north and west. Firefighters used direct tactics to protect infrastructure on military land and keep the fire south of Brigadier Road. Due to fire crews working in this area, Training Areas 315, 316, 317, and 318 in the Yukon Training Area (YTA) are closed. For public safety and the safety of fire personnel, please avoid this area until further notice.
Firefighters used direct tactics on the western end of the southwest flank of the yesterday, assisted by water dropping aircraft. On the east side firefighters extinguished a hot pocket inside existing fire line near Mile 37-38 and secured the area with support from helicopter water buckets. Crews are making steady progress plumbing behind prepped cabins south and west of the fire’s edge down to Mile 31.
Today, smokejumpers will continue protection work on infrastructure on military lands on the north side of the fire and will work to secure line and gain depth on the south side of Brigadier Rd. Crews will continue improving structure protection on cabins on the southwest side of the fire, and work direct on fire line around Mile 35. Firefighters will continue working to secure the pocket of heat found yesterday on the east side of the fire and continue enforcing protection on an Alaska Native allotment to the east. Water dropping aircraft will support firefighting efforts again today.
The Bureau of Land Management has issued fire restrictions throughout the district. For more information, visit the BLM Alaska Fire Restrictions webpage or contact BLM at (907) 474-2200.
The Middle and Lower Salcha River evacuation levels remain at Level 2 “SET”, which means be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. The Upper Salcha River remains at Level 1 “READY”. Level 1 means “BE READY” for potential evacuation. 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: akfireinfo.com or by calling: (907) 356-5511 and on Facebook (@BLMAFS).
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Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 