Firefighters are making steady progress toward protecting cabins and other values at risk from the Ninetyeight Fire (#218) as warmer, drier conditions persist across the area. Forty percent of the work toward this goal has been completed. No growth has been observed and the fire behavior Friday included creeping and smoldering with isolated torching.
Firefighters were injured in a boat incident on Friday morning. In response, a safety standdown was enacted to prioritize firefighter well-being. More details about the incident can be found on Alaska Wildland Fire Information (akfireinfo.com). Instead, firefighters monitored the fire with a flight over the fire area; minimal activity was observed. Emergency Responders reacted quickly transporting all injured parties safely and efficiently from remote Alaska to an area hospital.
Today, firefighters will return to the line. Their efforts will focus on the southern perimeter, with crews working to identify any remaining heat and reduce the amount of vegetation to reinforce the fire line. Firefighters on the northern edge continue to monitor fire activity within the military training area.
The weather forecast calls for continued warming and drying through the weekend, with highs reaching the upper 70s by Sunday with light, terrain-driven winds during the night and westerly winds during the day. A slight cool down and chance of thunderstorms are expected by Monday.
For the safety of firefighters and the public, Training Areas 315, 316, 317, and 318 in the Yukon Training Area (YTA) are closed. Please avoid this area until further notice.
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire. The TFR can be found at faa.gov.
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 at Fairbanks North Star Borough.
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: Alaska Wildland Fire Information 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 