A steady soaking rain fell over the Elephant Fire (#225) yesterday, resulting in another day of moderate fire behavior and no increase in fire size. Firefighters engaged the fire as the weather allowed, making steady progress throughout the day.
Crews carefully evaluated the southern edge of the fire, directly above Eureka, and found no visible smoke or significant heat. Fire managers have placed that area of the fire in monitor status. Handcrew personnel completed containment lines and secured the fire’s edge where it had crossed Minook Creek. They also gathered scattered smoldering logs and debris into piles to safely burn them out. Consolidating the large smoldering material in one place reduces the risk of the fire reigniting. In addition, smoke jumpers continued working along the northeastern edge of the fire to secure the perimeter around nearby cabins.
A Level 1 “Ready” evacuation notice remains in effect for residents in Eureka and along the Eureka-Rampart Trail area due to the Elephant Fire. Residents should stay alert, remain prepared to evacuate and understand that levels may increase again if fire behavior intensifies.
The Lush Fire (#199) also received steady rain yesterday, which helped limit fire growth over the past 24 hours. Crews focused on securing and mopping up around Alaska Native Allotments and structures on the southern and eastern flanks of the fire. Firefighters also continue to construct firelines in the northeastern corner to protect additional Alaska Native Allotments in the event the fire progresses further to the north.
Today’s weather is forecast to be overcast with scattered showers through this afternoon. Winds will be light and variable. Tomorrow, a ridge of high pressure starts to build, leading to a drier and slightly warmer forecast for the weekend.
Overall, fire managers are monitoring 40 other fires in the Tanana Zone and will staff those fires if conditions warrant. For a printable PDF of today’s update, please CLICK HERE.
-BLM-
Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Service, P.O. Box 35005 1541 Gaffney Road, Fort Wainwright, Ak 99703
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The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (AFS) located at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, provides wildland fire suppression services for over 240 million acres of Department of the Interior and Native Corporation Lands in Alaska. In addition, AFS has other statewide responsibilities that include: interpretation of fire management policy; oversight of the BLM Alaska Aviation program; fuels management projects; and operating and maintaining advanced communication and computer systems such as the Alaska Lightning Detection System. AFS also maintains a National Incident Support Cache. The Alaska Fire Service provides wildland fire suppression services for America’s “Last Frontier” on an interagency basis with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Military in Alaska
Categories: Active Wildland Fire, AK Fire Info, BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 