Crews continued to battle the Ninetyeight Fire (#218) yesterday as extreme fire weather persisted for a third consecutive day. Winds and low relative humidity threatened established fire lines. Firefighters on the southwest corner, from Mile 33 to Mile 35 along the Salcha River, engaged the fire directly while bucket drops and scoopers supported containment efforts. Although the fire spotted outside the firebreaks a few times, firefighters, assisted by helicopter drops, successfully extinguished these spot fires.
Due to extreme conditions the black tundra was reburning on the east flank. Crews monitored areas of heat near fire lines and deeper into the interior. Helicopters supported their efforts by cooling hot spots and reinforcing the perimeter. To the north, firefighters continued strengthening fire lines to protect military infrastructure and to keep the fire south of Brigadier Road.
Today, there is the expectation of continued elevated fire behavior. Smokejumpers along with two members of the Shasta Trinity Helitack Module will continue protection work on military lands on the north side of the fire, working to secure and deepen containment lines along Brigadier Road. Crews will also improve structure protection on cabins on the southwest of the fire near Mile 34, while continuing direct line construction. Thanks to the quick work yesterday by the crews, spot overs were contained. However, out of an abundance of caution, spot overs will be mopped up to ensure further spread. Firefighters will focus on securing pockets of heat on the east side and maintaining protection efforts on an Alaska Native allotment to the east. Water-dropping aircraft will continue to support firefighting operations today.
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.
A TFR is in place over the fire – view more at faa.gov.
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: https://akfireinfo.com/ or by calling: (907) 356-5511 and on Facebook (@BLMAFS).
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 