The Middle and Lower Salcha River Level 2 “Set” evacuation notices has been downgraded to a Level 1 “Ready” due to moderated fire activity and work completed by firefighters to protect the cabins and other sites from the Ninetyeight Fire (#218). All Salcha River area evacuation levels are now at Level 1 “Ready,” which means residents should 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.
Residents should remain alert as fires are still active nearby and Alaska remains in fire season.
People can take simple steps to reduce wildfire risk around their properties: move flammable items like firewood, ATVs, and gas cans at least 30 feet from homes; clear needles, leaves, and brush from roofs, decks, and yards; trim grass and low branches; and keep the first 5 feet around your home free of anything that could ignite. Cover attic vents with metal mesh to block embers, and ensure water sources like hoses or barrels are ready to use.
The Ninetyeight Fire is 15,677 acres and 18% contained as of Wednesday, with minimal fire behavior observed. Crews, including the Tatanka Interagency Hotshot Crew from the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota, continue to secure the southern edge of the fire near the Salcha River. An Elmendorf Air Force Bace (JBER) engine is patrolling the Brigadier Road along the north edge of the fire and monitoring for fire activity. Meanwhile, a helitack crew continues to haul out excess supplies.
Boaters using the Salcha River please use extreme caution between Mile 30 and Mile 42 due to high levels of fire-related boat traffic.
The fire was reported on June 19 and is approximately 21 miles northeast of Salcha. Find more information about the fire at https://akfireinfo.com/tag/ninetyeight-fire/
Cooler conditions will continue today with mostly cloudy skies and a slight chance of precipitation. Temperatures will increase into the weekend along with a chance for isolated showers and thunderstorms.
Additional information on wildfires across Alaska can be found at: Alaska Wildland Fire Information akfireinfo.com or by calling: (907) 356-5511 and on Facebook (@BLMAFS).
View a PDF of the news release here.
–BLM–
Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Service
P.O. Box 35005 1541 Gaffney Road, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703
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Learn more at http://www.blm.gov/AlaskaFireService, and on Facebook.
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 