Fire behavior was slightly more active on the Elephant Fire (#225) yesterday but remained minimal overall. Crews made steady progress, taking advantage of favorable weather to continue work on the areas where fire previously crossed the Eureka-Rampart Road and Minook Creek. Firefighters also made good progress securing the line behind structures on the northeast corner of the fire using strategic burnout operations. In addition, a hotshot crew monitored the fire’s southern flank on the ridge above Eureka and saw no fire growth in that area. Assessments of the greater Eureka area for contingency planning remained ongoing.
Today, firefighters will continue mop-up efforts along Eureka-Rampart Road and near Minook Creek. They will also evaluate structure protection needs on both the north and south sides of the fire. In addition, personnel will scout strategic locations to build firelines ahead of the fire as part of future planning.
A Level 1 “Ready” evacuation notice remains in effect for Eureka and the surrounding area. Residents should stay alert and prepared in case conditions change.
The Lush Fire (#199) experienced another day of warming and drying yesterday, with minimal fire behavior and limited growth observed. Resources were reprioritized and shifted north to support protection efforts around the Alaska Native Allotments near the uncontained fireline in the northeastern corner of the fire.
Fire behavior is expected to increase slightly today with continued warming and drying. Crews will focus on constructing fireline along the fire perimeter on the north flank to protect values at risk. Firefighters will also continue mopping up and securing around structures and Alaska Native Allotments on the south and east sides of the fire. If conditions allow, a reconnaissance flight is planned over the Lush Fire and several other fires that are in monitor status in the area.
A high-pressure system is bringing warmer and drier weather to the Interior this weekend. Temperatures are expected to reach the 70s and low 80s, with Sunday likely being the hottest day. Humidity levels will drop, but winds are expected to stay light.
Overall, fire managers are monitoring 40 other fires in the Tanana Zone and will staff those fires if conditions warrant. Please CLICK HERE for a printable PDF of this update.
-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 